Office and public transport are breeding grounds for viruses and bacteria. Especially now that everyone is talking about a new wave of coronavirus. What if you need to commute to work? Together with Dyson experts, we have prepared some tips to help you reduce your risk of infection.
Let's start with the main thing - take care of hand hygiene. It is now more important than ever, and yet many of us have forgotten the precautions: stopped using antiseptics, wearing gloves in public, and washing our hands regularly. Follow these rules and remember: rinsing and rubbing your hands quickly is not enough. Leading healthcare organizations recommend washing them frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and then drying them properly. After all, wet hands can carry 1000 times more bacteria than dry hands.
We have compiled the top 7 places in the office and in public transport, where the most microbes accumulate. After contact with these surfaces, wash your hands with soap and water as soon as possible, and if this is not possible, use an antiseptic.
Public transport handrails:
Foam handles and textile seat upholstery pick up far more microorganisms than hard objects. However, it is easier for bacteria and viruses to get onto your hands from a metal rail, and from there they can enter your body and cause an infection. Avoid unnecessary contact with these surfaces and try to ride seated, always wearing a mask and gloves.
Elevator buttons:
In the home and a busy office, hundreds of people use the elevator, carrying bacteria and viruses. Try to avoid crowded elevators. “Even if the elevator is cleaned regularly, there is still a high risk of infection. Therefore, do not touch your face after using the lift until you can wash your hands thoroughly, ”advises Dr. Salome Gian, senior researcher at Dyson.
Ticket vending machines:
Many people touch ticket machines, so after buying a ticket, immediately wipe your hands with disinfectant gel. If your hands are dirty, wipe them off with a damp cloth first, otherwise, the sanitizer will not work.
Workplace:
Some companies use a hot table system in which several employees take turns occupying one workplace. If that's the case, keep your common items clean so they don't become a greenhouse for growing germs. Make sure keyboards, tables, and chairs are cleaned before your shift, using different napkins. “Remember to disinfect the levers and handles of the chairs. When a person arrives at a new workplace, he often grabs them to adjust the seat, ”emphasizes Dr. Gian.
Your mug:
Be careful when filling bottles and mugs: they should not touch the cooler or the beverage dispenser. “Wash your mug regularly with hot water and soap, then dry it thoroughly with a clean cloth. Do not use towels from the office kitchen. They are often damp and can stain the mug again, ”advises Dr. Gian.
Towels in shared kitchens:
Bacteria thrive in warm, humid environments, so avoid sharing towels in your office. Better to start your own and make sure it dries quickly. “The towel becomes damp and warm, making it an excellent breeding ground for bacteria, especially if it hangs near the heater,” notes Dr. Gian. Another good way to protect yourself from bacteria is to wash your hands thoroughly and then sanitize them.
Buttons of old hand dryers:
Office toilets are visited by many people, which increases the likelihood of infection. Especially if employees don't wash their hands thoroughly enough. For example, bacteria and viruses can collect on push-button hand dryers. Therefore, it is better to use non-contact devices such as the Dyson Airblade. They dry their hands with HEPA-filtered air rather than polluted washroom air.
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