Flu-Proof Your Home

Post by Mary Ann Earp, Business Operations Director at Kidspace Children's Museum

As the official influenza season begins and fears about swine flu grow, it is a good time to think about measures that can be taken around the home to protect you and your family.

Germy spots to watch out for include sinks, telephones, children’s toys, doorknobs, and remote controls. If someone is sick at home, you need to disinfect daily. Desks are known to have 400 times more bacteria than a toilet seat. Regularly disinfecting your desktop at home and at work is key to staying healthy.

A clean home does not necessary mean one free of germs. Often some of the cleanest homes have the highest germ counts. The culprit is often cleaning tools that spread viruses throughout the home. Your kitchen sponge should be replaced every couple of weeks. If you don’t wish to discard sponges that frequently, you can microwave it for one minute or run it through the dishwasher to eliminate germs.

Also beware of other cleaning tools such as dust rags, dishrags, and mops. Unless sanitized between uses, they only spread around the germs you are trying to kill.

More information on how you can help safeguard your family from germs.