Tag Archives: germs

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

5 BATHROOM SAFETY TIPS IN THE WORKPLACE

5 Bathroom Safety Tips in the Workplace

One of the most frequently visited public bathrooms will doubtless be the one in your workplace (unless bladder control is your superpower!). Unlike most public bathrooms, the one at your workplace will likely have fewer people using it over one particular day. However, that by no means guarantees that it will be healthier or safer to use. Think of all the people who used it, spilled water on the floor, touched the door knobs and flushes on the toilets with their germ-filled hands…ugh! Now that is something a germ phobic,  careful employee like yourself would absolutely not want to see or touch! Not to worry! By following these 5 tips you can easily deal with the nastiness of the workplace bathroom.

Carry tissues and sanitizers

Surely you knew this was going to be first? The first safety issue anybody faces with using a public bathroom is the possibility of getting a viral disease. The source of this disease could be anything- doorknobs, toilet seats, the air around the place, you name it! Now, while going into the washroom with a mask on is weird, being extra careful regarding what you come in contact with certainly is not. USE TISSUE. Use it to open the doors, use it when touching the walls, turning on the faucets, and anything else that might need physical contact. After washing your hands, use another piece of tissue or paper towel to dry, and dispose of appropriately.

After doing the deed and washing after yourself, it also helps to apply sanitizer to your hands. If adequately equipped, you might as well use tissue paper to wipe toilet seats before using them. Not only is it going to give you peace of mind (trust us, it will!), it doesn’t hurt going the extra distance for keeping healthy.

These tips, alongside certain common sense actions like flushing with the lid down, should help you get through the trouble of workplace bathroom disease mania.

Avoid stepping on wet floor

Sometimes you might be in a rush to use the bathroom. You run to the bathroom door and open it, only to see that the floor is wet. What do you do? Hint: Do not go in! The reasons should be obvious. First of all, wet floors are a safety hazard. Anyone wearing shoes can experience a good old slip. Anyone desperate enough might try taking their shoes off and strut around wearing socks, or even barefoot. That is also a no-no. Wet floors contain germs that can make you ill.

The best thing to do would be to call the staff responsible for bathroom maintenance to wipe it off, wait for them to get done, and then enter. You don’t need superpowers to hold it in for a few minutes!

Also, if you have old bathroom faucets, a good idea might be to just replace them from time to time.

If you ever see a portion of the bathroom floor wet even while you are inside, be sure to call up someone to have it wiped off after you are done.

Take your time

Hey man, why don’t you just slow down? We get it, your bladder might explode, or you have to get back to your meeting quickly. But you have to take it slow. Running to and inside the bathroom can cause a nasty fall. Rushing to get done with answering nature’s calls can be unhealthy (yes, that is true) and also lead you to injure yourself if you make one move too fast.

Walk to the bathroom, use the toilet while taking your time, but not too much, and then calmly get back to your business. Plus, rushing things will make you look bad among your coworkers. Imagine how embarrassing it would be if Harold from Accounting told you to “take it easy in there”.

Do not spill water on the floor

For reasons not to do so, refer to the section where we explicitly state not stepping on the wet floor. Now let’s look at how to make sure you don’t spill water.

First of all, you don’t have to blast the faucet at full speed every time you need to wash. Not only are you being an environmentally-irresponsible person (shame on you!), you run the risk of spilling water on the floor. You are putting yourself and others at risk just to make your hands feel like they have been cleaned well.

The same applies when rinsing your hands. Do so slowly, making sure none of the water escapes the basin. If your toilets have hand-showers or the likes, make sure not to put full pressure on the shower handle. Just a light press should be enough for you to clean your rear end!

This infographic about common bathroom problems and how to fix them can be a very interesting one to follow.

Do not keep belongings on the bathroom floor

No, we do not care if you were just on your way out. Never keep your bag, belt, shoes, or anything lying on the bathroom floor. People unaware may step on them and fall. Even if people are aware, they would have to go the extra step to avoid trampling them.
To make matters worse, the bathroom floors aren’t the cleanest of places. They have germs that can then attach themselves to your belongings. Once you pick your bag up or wear your belt again, you effectively pick up the germs. Then you take it with you to your cubicle, then to your coworkers, and maybe to your boss too. There is the odd chance Harold from Accounting might catch it, but is it really worth it?

Staying healthy is no longer a luxury. It keeps you safe, it keeps people around you safe, and it helps you to be at your best. At the same time, bathrooms are an unsuspecting danger that seemingly lurks in the shadow, waiting for you to put one wrong foot on the wet floor. Taking precautions to protect yourself from disease and hugging the floor will keep you safe. You may not be a tough cookie when you spread that sanitizer all over your hand, but you can be a smart one. Take that Harold from Accounting!

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

INFLUENZA UPDATE – JANUARY 8, 2013

In the U.S., influenza is widespread over eighty percent of the country.  There are three particular strains that are circulating – the  H3N2, is the dominant one this year, and can cause a more serious illness.  Because vaccines were given for both A and B strains of influenza, the third strain doesn’t respond to those shots.  

Some persons became infected before receiving the vaccination, or shortly after the vaccination.  The flu shot takes time to become effective.  Doctors state that even if you get a strain not included in the flu shot, the vaccination should reduce the severity of the illness.  The flu is spreading earlier and faster this year. 

Anyone who is at least 6 months old should get a flu vaccine this season.  Those to whom it is especially important to receive the vaccine are:

  1. People with certain medical conditions, including asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease.
  2. Pregnant women.
  3. Persons 65 years and older.
  4. People who live with or care for others who are at risk of developing serious       complications such as asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease. 

Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by viruses infecting the nose, throat and lungs.  Some cases are mild to severe; however, the flu can be lethal.  Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, tiredness, chills, head and body aches, runny nose, and occasionally diarrhea and vomiting.  Some people with these symptoms, however, may not have the flu.  Many are being treated for bronchitis or severe allergies. 

The flu is spread through contact with bodily discharges.  When someone infected sneezes or coughs around them, chances are they will also become infected.  Things that we touch, such as elevator buttons, phones, keyboards, salt shakers, and other items in public places make us all susceptible to it. 

If you are ill, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.  Wash your hands very often, and keep hand sanitizer handy.  Use disinfectant sprays in the home to kill germs.

Last, but not least, stay home if you are sick.  Do not be in a rush to return to school or work until you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours.  During seasons that bring contagious diseases, it’s not a bad idea to stay home and away from crowds as much as possible.  Some folks may be coming down with something, yet are unaware of it until they actually get sick. 

Stay well, my friends!

 

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIPS (GUEST POST)

By Jakob Barry

It’s the holiday shopping season which means just about everyone will be heading to a mall at some point over the coming weeks. Even if you never go to one the entire year chances are you’ll be entering a store somewhere with the intention of purchasing a gift for a loved one or friend.

At the same time it’s important to keep in mind holiday shopping can be stressful, especially when you can’t find what you’re looking for and are running out of time. Even if you aren’t the one feeling the pressure others around you are which makes the perfect ingredients for unfortunate accidents and misunderstandings.

For a safer journey this shopping season keep the following tips in mind.

1. Make a list
It’s a safe bet making a list can prevent unnecessary rushing around and the potential for accidents. Why? One of the most frustrating things is when there’s a lot to do, a number of errands to run, things to pick up and just when we think it’s all under control we realize we forgot to get something at a previous location.

Then, with so much going on in our lives and all kinds of timetables and schedules to keep staying focused is a challenge and frustration sets in. With millions of other shoppers out doing the same thing a list can come in handy and keep us safer than we realize.

2. Drive safely
Even if a list was made be reasonable with your time and don’t rush, especially with driving. Plan shopping with enough time to compensate for long lines and lots of traffic, as there are a lot of other people on the road who also have goals they are trying to meet and may get an itch to speed.

Keep an eye on the road and on everyone around you as driving this time of year may just be a real obstacle course.

3. Watch the weather
Driving carefully is one thing but when the weather gets bad extra precautions are needed. Check the forecast before going out and if things get messy make sure to keep distance between other vehicles.  Also, dress accordingly. This means if bitter cold air moves in don’t rely on heat from your car or inside the mall. Bring what’s necessary to be self sufficient so you stay healthy throughout the holiday season.

4. Stay hydrated:
Believe it or not, shopping can take a lot out of a person and dehydration, even in the winter can occur. This is particularly true when being exposed to a lot of dry heat like in department stores.  For this reason make sure to drink enough water and stay away from sodas and sugar drinks. Not only are they less healthy but will dry you out faster. 

5. Hygiene:
When it comes to safety and shopping we often forget many items we touch were already touched by countless other people. Hangers, changing rooms, bathrooms, railways, door handles, checkout counters, and more. What they all have in common is the likelihood of having been in contact with germs that can be picked up easily when we aren’t careful.

Always remember to wash hands before eating or putting them anywhere near the mouth. This will also prevent the transfer of germs to others we may be traveling with such as children or friends.

Jakob writes for Winston Salem, N.C. flooring contractors

Thanks, Jakob, for these great tips for successful and healthy shopping for the holidays.  It would be wise to carry some hand sanitizer along, for those times when a rest room is not close by. 

Also, to our readers, Texas America Safety Company, tasco-safety.com, is still offering free shipping on gift orders placed before Christmas.  Check out some of our great products that would make someone very happy. Pat

General Safety Issues

DON’T GET YOURSELF ALL IN A LATHER, BUT IT IS NATIONAL HANDWASHING AWARENESS WEEK!

December 2 through December 8th is National Handwashing Week.  A task we should do numerous times through each day, is observed this week, as a reminder of all the bad things that can happen to us if we and others don’t wash our hands. 

Think of how many places you enter and exit through the day – your car, subway, bus, taxi, or other means of going to work.  Doorknobs are a great place for germs to sit just waiting for you.  Your computer or cell phone probably has germs galore.  If you have to share a phone with someone else, you should have some antiseptic wipes to clean them between uses. 

Hospitals come to mind as one of the single-most places that infections occur (HAI’s or hospital-associated infections.)  It is not unusual that hospital rooms and other areas contain antiseptic stations for nurses, patient families, and doctors to ensure their hands are clean before coming in contact with a patient.  Don’t be embarrassed to ask your nurse if she washed her hands before touching you.  Many times, patients leave the hospital sicker than when they came in, especially if they have surgery.  Hospitals fight infection rates by keeping room temperatures low (chilly); however, keeping everything extremely sterile is of the utmost importance.

 Restaurants are another place where germs lurk.  How many times have you noticed someone preparing food without wearing gloves?  Have you ever witnessed them preparing, say, pizza, and then taking money from someone while you are waiting on your order?  Schools, cafeterias, and most restaurants require wearing hairnets and disposable latex gloves when handling food.  Manufacturing plants have strict rules about keeping food safe by wearing the proper protective equipment.  We are very trusting in our purchases of produce, but first and most important, is washing that produce once it is in our kitchen.  Of course, homemakers aren’t going to wear hairnets and gloves preparing the evening meal, but they should wash hands before and after preparing food. 

Airports are another handy location to pick up germs, both inside the terminal and inside the plane.  There have been reports of planes that have not been properly cleaned between flights, so it would pay to carry some antiseptic wipes in your carry-on bag or purse, to de-germ the things you may be in contact with. 

Teach your children to wash their hands the right way, with plenty of soap and water, in the amount of time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice.  This is a good rule of thumb for grown-ups as well.  Keep some antiseptic wipes or cleaner in your car so you can use it after paying for soft drinks at the drive-in, doing your daily shopping or anytime you have been out of your car.  That way at least YOU know your hands are clean; just hope those you have been in contact with observe the same hand hygiene habits.  Think about these things the next time you shake hands with someone!

 

 

General Safety Issues

Four Health Hazards in Your Kitchen

GUEST BLOG

Written by Console and Associates, P.C.

When one thinks about keeping their family safe in the kitchen, a few things come to mind, such as keeping children away from the stove and other burn hazards and properly preparing food to avoid food borne illnesses.  What many people fail to realize, or forget about, are the other, less-obvious dangers in your kitchen that could make your family ill.  Here are four hazards that are found in almost every kitchen:

  • Sponges.  The Problem: You use a sponge to clean dirty dishes and other kitchen tools, but often times we forget just how quickly our sponges become breeding grounds for bacteria.  Shine reported that in a study conducted that analyzed various household items, the kitchen sponge has 150 times more yeast, mold, and bacteria than they found when analyzing the bathroom toothbrush holder.  No one would think to disinfect the item they are using to disinfect other objects.  If a sponge becomes contaminated with E.coli or Salmonella, it could result in serious illness for one of your family members.
  • Quick Fix: Make sure you replace your sponge every two weeks.  In between replacements, you can disinfect your sponge by wetting it and sticking  it in the microwave for two minutes – this should be done daily.
  •  Refrigerators.  The Problem: How often do you check the temperature of your fridge? Most likely you do only on a rare occasion such as when the power has gone out.  The temperature of your fridge is extremely important because bacteria growth is slowed in cooler temperatures.  Your fridge should never be above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Quick Fix: If your fridge did not come equipped with a thermometer you can easily (and cheaply) purchase one at many major retailers.  Be sure to keep an eye on the temperature to help reduce bacteria growth.
  • Cutting Boards.  The Problem: Certain cutting boards are more apt to hold bacteria than others.  For example, while wooden cutting boards may look nice on your countertop, but wood is porous and bacteria can get into it and thrive.  There is also a risk of injury if you are using a glass cutting board.  One,  it is not kind to your knives, and will likely ruin them, but more importantly they break easily, which poses a risk for cuts and lacerations.  Another cutting board risk is contaminating your food based on what you are cooking.  If you are preparing uncooked meat, fish or poultry you should not use the same cutting board for produce.  If you do you could run the risk of transmitting harmful bacteria.
  • Quick Fix: Buy plastic or acrylic cutting boards.  They are easy to clean, durable, and will not hold bacteria.  Also make sure you use separate cutting boards for your produce and meats.  You may have more dishes, but it’s better than ingesting Salmonella.  When you clean the boards, they should be washed in hot, soapy water, and air dried.  If you need them to dry faster, always use paper towels and not a dish towel (think of all the things you used that towel for, it is crawling with bacteria).  Acrylic and plastic boards can be run through the dishwasher.  Culinary experts also suggest sanitizing your board with a chlorine bleach-water solution (1 tablespoon bleach per 1 gallon of water); soak or spray the solution on the board, let it sit, and let it air dry.
  • Recalled Items.  The Problem: Perhaps it is stating the obvious, but when a food product or kitchen tool/appliance is recalled there is a significant threat to your health and well-being.  That being said, any and all recalled items should be disposed of immediately.  A study conducted by Rutgers University found that only 60 per cent of Americans will search their kitchens when a product is recalled.  While that is a large number of people, it should be 100 per cent.
  • Quick Fix: Stay up to date on any and all recalls (food and kitchen related or otherwise) by visiting www.recalls.gov.

There is no hard-and fast rule that will give you a 100 per cent guarantee that you will prevent foodborne illnesses in your home, but these safety tips will greatly reduce the chances.   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that each year roughly 76,000,000 people in the country are made ill from food.  There are, of course, common knowledge ways to avoid this, such as washing your hands, and using clean kitchen tools when preparing food, but there are many surprising ways that food borne illnesses can make their way to your family.  If you or someone you love has been injured or made ill as the result of a kitchen accident or food borne illness, you may be entitled to compensation, speak with a qualified injury attorney in New Jersey today to find out your legal rights and options.

Thanks  to our friends at Console and Associates, P.C. for this interesting article on easy ways to spot and fix problems with germs that are found in kitchens.  With a little inspection and proper cleaning, we can hopefully stay healthy.

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Health Issues

LET’S “CLEAN UP” OUR ACT!

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There are “good germs” and “bad germs,” and many of those little critters can make us sick.  Our homes and offices all have bacteria, so let’s talk a little bit about how to clean up some of the stuff that harbors them.  One of the germiest items in your home is the remote control.  You should use a disinfectant swipe on it at least every two days, or if someone in your house is sick, every day.  Wait to do your channel surfing after you have prepared dinner because during food prep, you can transfer microbes like E.coli or salmonella to your clicker. 

We women love purses, so much so that they go everywhere we go.  That purse can pick up staph, salmonella, and even E.coli.  Don’t keep loose cash in your bag.  Paper money is the dirtiest thing there is.  Experts say that the flu virus can live on paper money for seventeen days.  Clean the inside of your purse with a vacuum crevice attachment, or a long bristled suede brush and dump crumbs into the trash.  Another good idea is to hang your purse up rather than placing it on restaurant or bathroom floors, where germs are just waiting to catch a ride.

Here is a list of some of the germiest places in our lives: 

  1. Phones.  Cell phones carry 500 times more bacteria than a toilet seat, according to Kelly Reynolds, PhD., an environmental microbiologist at the University of Arizona.  Many disease-causing microbes can survive for weeks on your rarely cleaned office or cell phone.  Swipe with a disinfecting wipe daily.
  2. Soap dispensers.  Ironically, this germ-fighting tool is a hot spot for E.coli and other bacteria.  Lathering your hands with soap and singing one round of “Happy Birthday” while washing them, will give you time to get rid of all the bugs.
  3. Keyboard and mouse.  A co-worker’s germs can linger on your computer.  Rhinovirus, (cause of the common cold), can survive from hours to days on surfaces like keyboards.  Even if you are the only one who uses your computer, wipe these down weekly with a disinfectant.
  4. Lobby elevator buttons.  These little knobs are loaded with everyone’s germs.  Let someone else press the button, or use your knuckle, and apply hand sanitizer.
  5. Shopping cart handles.  Up to 8 in 10 may have E.coli, so use the hand sanitizer the store offers for free, or keep some in your car or purse to use after shopping.  (I keep a bottle in the side pocket of my car door). 

Here are some ingredients that you probably have in your pantry that are good for cleaning: 

  • Rubbing alcohol.  Dilute with one-half water to wipe down remotes and remove fingerprints on appliances, including stainless.
  • Lemon juice.  Mix with cream of tartar to make a paste, then scrub into rust stains on bathtubs – leave it on for a few hours until the stain disappears.
  • Fresh lemon. Cut one in half, sprinkle with salt, and use it to clean cutting boards and bring shine back to copper pots and pans.
  • White vinegar.  This rivals the disinfecting power of bleach.  Mix equal parts vinegar and water to clean mirrors.  Dip a cloth in the mixture, wipe, and buff dry.
  • Baking soda.  Use to remove marks from hard surfaces and deodorize your fridge.  Make it into a paste with hydrogen peroxide (1/3 c. soda to 2/3 c. peroxide) to remove underarm stains from white clothing.

There are many earth-friendly cleaning products that will kill almost 100 per cent of germs for house or office cleaning.  Remember, practicing good hand hygiene is very important for the prevention of disease.  Teach your children to get into the habit of washing their hands often. 

Source: Health.com

General Safety Issues

PLANNING FOR A PENDEMIC

We hate to even bring up the subject, but following the H1N1 Pandemic the world experienced, it is important that we plan for, yet hope that there won’t be another one.  No one knows when an outbreak will occur, or the specific characteristics of a future pandemic virus, which are unpredictable.  Also unknown are what age groups will be affected, nor how dangerous it will be. 

Pandemics occur when a new virus spreads easily from person to person throughout the world.  Knowing what to do in our daily lives, work, and activities can be helpful. 

I had the misfortune while on an Alaskan cruise to catch some kind of “bug”, which required a visit to the doctor, two shots, several medications and about three weeks to get over.  Other friends who traveled to various places came home sick, as well.  Following a trip to China, two of our family members came home so ill they had to be hospitalized.  We know that most persons who travel come home feeling perfectly fine, but there are too many ways to come in contact with germs that can make us very ill.  Even though you wash your hands thoroughly, you still have to touch rails, elevator buttons, door- knobs and other items that hundreds of people are in contact with, as well.  (I have decided that the next trip I go on, I will wear gloves.  It may look silly, but I know I won’t be touching something loaded with germs!)  Anyone riding on mass transportation would be wise to carry sanitary wipes along. 

When we were dealing with the H1N1 virus, experts advised hand washing, covering one’s mouth when coughing or sneezing, using a tissue only once, staying home if you feel sick, and getting the vaccine.  Workplaces should provide hand sanitizers, tissues, plastic cups rather than dishes and cups that may not be washed thoroughly.  They should also remove magazines from waiting rooms and break rooms, when illness breaks out.  Workstations should be cleaned frequently, to keep employees healthy.  This is good advice to follow even when there’s no outbreak of a virus.  If there is a “bug” moving around, avoid travel, meetings, and workshops, if at all possible.  Also stay away from crowded places.   If there is a vaccine available, by all means, get it.  Many times it is recommended to get the flu vaccine; even if the new virus is a different strain, it is hoped that this will allow the symptoms to be less serious.

As we said, we hope there will never be another pandemic, and if we take better precautions and try to keep ourselves healthy, hopefully it won’t happen again.  But in a world full of more and more people, something is bound to occur sooner or later.  If countries will share the information worldwide as soon as they suspect a virus is beginning to spread, other countries will be better prepared to protect their citizens.  A pandemic impacts countries’ economies, industries, schools, hospitals, and governments, in other words, everyone.  Stay healthy.