Germ_Spots

Germ Hot-Spots

Certain surfaces in our environments at work and at home
can be particularly bad areas for the transmission of
microorganisms. These germ hot-spots should
be given special attention in a cleaning and disinfection
regime. If you are in contact with, or are a vulnerable person,
then they should be regularly disinfected and cleaned with a
high level disinfectant such as Tristel Protect or Tristel
Deeper Clean.

• Cleaning cloths - Ideally you should use disposable
sterile cloths like they should do in hospitals. However, if you
do reuse a cloth or sponge make sure that after cleaning it
is disinfected and left to dry.

• Chopping boards and utensils - These items can
harbour many food-borne microorganisms such as
Salmonella and E. coli, especially on their uneven surfaces.
This is especially likely if they have been used to prepare
uncooked meat. Infections from these types of
microorganisms can be especially dangerous for pregnant
women and other vulnerable people.

• Toilet bowl, seat, lid and flush handle - If the toilet is
flushed with the lid open then soiled particles can be
propelled several feet from the toilet! This can spread feacal
matter throughout the surrounding area. So it is really
important to flush toilets with the lid down, and to regularly
disinfect the bowl, seat, lid and flush handle.

It is also wise to regularly disinfect the surrounding surfaces
in case they have been contaminated. This would be
especially important if anyone using the toilet and bathroom
was suffering from the Norovirus or other sickness and
vomiting illness.

• Taps - Often overlooked when cleaning these surfaces, taps can become particularly contaminated. They are also at risk of being 'cleaned' with soiled cloths, and touched by hands that have not been washed properly. Taps can quickly
become a home for food poisoning and pneumonia
causing pathogenic microorganisms, such as E. coli and
Salmonella.

• Kitchen work tops - These surfaces can be a breeding
ground for bacteria. This can include E. coli and Salmonella
microorganisms from the preparation of raw meats.

• Door and fridge handles - Often used by many
household members, handles become key transfer points
for microorganisms in the home.

• Light switches - Like door handles, light switches are
regularly used by many family members and are therefore
major transfer points for germs.

• Telephone hand piece - This equipment is regularly
handled and is also likely to come into contact with the
user's face and mouth. So it is very important to disinfect the
telephone hand piece regularly.

• Sink, bath and shower - These areas can contain
millions of microorganisms. They are also often exposed to
soiled particles from toilets in the vicinity that have been flushed with the lid up.

• Rubbish bin lid - The rubbish bin lid is easily soiled by
food particles and other forms of waste. This can make it a
breeding ground for bacteria. If the rubbish bin is in reach of
small children then it is especially important to regularly and
thoughroughly clean and disinfect it. Also, if the lid is
touched by hands then they should be properly washed
immediately to avoid cross contamination.

• Fridge - Inside the cool refridgerator lies a potential hotbed of microorganism ridden surfaces. The fridge can contain food and drink spillages, and debris that can fester with germs. The germs can then spread to other food and drink stored in the fridge.

All spillages and food debris should be cleaned away and
the surfaces disinfected regularly. Meats should be kept
away from vegetables and salads so that the bacteria they
contain are not spread to something that may be eaten raw.
Care should also be taken to avoid meat juices leaking and
dripping from their packaging, and then spreading
dangerous microorganisms to other foods.

• TV remote controls - These devices contain many areas for microorganisms to hide and avoid disinfection when they are being cleaned. Thorough and regular cleaning is very important because these items can be handled regularly by many household members, and may even be put into the mouths of children (and even some adults!).

• Game console control pads - Like TV remote controls, they contain many areas for microorganisms to hide.
Thorough and regular cleaning is very important because
these items are handled regularly.

There may be other Germ-Spots that you may be able to think of that could be mentioned on this page. We would be grateful to hear of any suggestions that you may have, so please get in touch.