It Sure is a Dirty World Out There!

It sure is a dirty world out there! Germs can be hiding anywhere, and some of the biggest culprits you might find surprising… and alarming. As an article on AARP.org points out, the average adult can touch as many as 30 objects within one minute, and you’d be surprised at how many of those objects may be covered in a variety of germs.   Recent campaigns have been working to educate the public on ways to protect themselves from picking up germs. A study published in the Journal of Medical Virology explains that germs, like the cold and flu viruses, can live on hard surfaces for up to 18 hours, just waiting for someone to come by and pick them up. We’ve all been told to watch out for germ filled objects like public light switches, door knobs, phone receivers, remote controls, and faucet handles. In addition to these items, the AARP urges the public to take steps to protect themselves from germs found in places we don’t usually think about; such as: *Restaurant menus (wash hands after ordering and don’t let the menu touch the eating utensils) *Lemon wedges *Condiment dispensers, ketchup bottles, salt & pepper shakers *Restroom doorknobs and stall locks *Soap dispensers (nobody thinks to clean these, yet everyone touches them with dirty hands) *Grocery carts (and the free-food samples at the supermarket) *Reusable shopping bags *Airplane restroom surfaces *Public magazines or newspapers left for browsing in waiting rooms (whether at the doctors office, dentist, or mechanics, these can all be filled with lots of germs) *Kitchen sponges (these collect germs and then you spread the germs around when using the sponge) *Gas pump handles *Parking meters *ATM and vending machine buttons   It is inevitable that we will all come into contact with germs throughout the day. Some of the best ways to protect ourselves include (but aren’t limited to): *Practicing proper hand washing techniques, using soap and warm water *Using hand sanitizer when there isn’t access to soap and water *Using Lysol or other disinfecting sprays/wipes to cleanse highly trafficked areas/objects *Carrying around your own hand sanitizer and a small pack of disinfecting wipes *Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth throughout the day *Using a paper towel to turn faucets off after washing your hands *Using a paper towel while opening the restroom door *Adding the sponge to the dishwasher or microwave it for 2 minutes to help kill germs. Sponges should also be replaced frequently *Washing reusable shopping bags at least once every 2 weeks   Mountainside Medical Equipment offers a wide array of products to help keep you protected from the germ filled world we live in. Check out the comprehensive line of disinfecting supplies we have to choose from, as well as the large selection of soaps,  hand sanitizers, and disinfecting wipes.   Sources http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-03-2011/8-germiest-places.8.html http://health.clevelandclinic.org/2013/01/where-the-germs-are-slideshow/?utm_campaign=cc+posts&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_content=140208+germs&dynid=facebook-_-cc+posts-_-social-_-social-_-140208+germs