Sanitizing Public Places Properly In the Wake of COVID-19

Sanitizing Public Places Properly In the Wake of COVID-19

Since the WHO (World Health Organization) declared the outbreak of COVID-19 in Hubei Province, China, there has been a need for public facilities to implement ways of battling the spread of the virus.

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Although the coronavirus is usually known to spread through respiratory droplets, such as saliva and mucus, there is proof that transmission may occur through contact with infected surfaces.

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It is crucial to prevent the virus from reaching these surfaces by cleaning and sanitizing.

Ensure you encourage your patrons and employees to cover their sneezes and coughs using a tissue to reduce the amount of contamination on surfaces.

Use soap and water to clean surfaces and dry them using paper towels to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

Read on to identify how to sanitize recreational facilities and commercial structures adequately.

Difference Between Cleaning And Sanitizing

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Cleaning and sanitizing are different cleansing tasks. Cleaning involves wiping as well as organizing surfaces such as countertops to look neat and clean.

Cleaning products lift and eradicate visible spots, stains, smudges, dirt, and organic material from surfaces. The objective of cleaning revolves around the appearance and feel. You should routinely clean high traffic settings using warm soapy water.

Cleaning methods include vacuuming, scraping, rinsing, dusting as well as moping.

Vacuuming is ideal for cleaning furniture, carpets, and floors.

Scraping is excellent in removing food particles, grease, and filth from an item. After removing dirt particles from surfaces, you should rinse them using hot or lukewarm water.

Dusting involves using a microfiber or dampened cloth for dusting various areas. Use a detergent when mopping for efficient cleaning.

Sanitizing is done after cleaning. This is a procedure that removes infection and germs from surfaces. Unclean surfaces will decrease the efficiency of sanitizing.

Sanitizing reduces the level of bacteria by destroying any virus that may lead to illness. Sanitization is necessary for public places such as caravan parks to eliminate bacteria and viruses that culminate in health complications.

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Sanitizing methods include steaming, heating, and chemical sanitizing.

Heat is used in the food industry to terminate bacteria. Steaming surfaces will also destroy disease-causing bacteria with high temperatures.

Chemical sanitizing using chemicals like quaternary ammonium, iodine, and chlorine. Ensure you use the right amount of sanitizer and time when sanitizing surfaces.

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How to Sanitize Public Spaces to Curb Virus Spread

Conduct Thorough Scrubbing And Soaping

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Sanitation efficiency improves with adequate cleaning. Ensure you use a microfiber cloth to dust surfaces such as handrails and furniture. Use soap and water to mop surfaces. Start from the farthest surfaces of the place as you move towards the entrance. Moreover, scrub tables, floors, walls, or countertops to remove viruses and bacteria.

Dry steaming

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Dry steaming removes the residue and sanitizes surfaces using water vapour. The hot-pressurized water liquefies accumulated deposits, thus enabling their removal.

Avoid steaming surfaces such as food plants, porous areas (like brick and concrete), and delicate items like silks, velour upholstery, and thin plastics. They might not handle the heat.

Encourage Regular Hand-Washing

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Post-hand-washing notices at every sink to promote proper hand-washing culture. This will reduce the amount of contamination on germ-friendly surfaces.

Ensure you also set up hand washing stations complete with soap, hand sanitizers, running water, and paper towels. These should be at convenient spots around your caravan park.

Specific Germ Hotspots to Concentrate On While Sanitizing

ATM Buttons

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According to tests from the Kimberly-Clark Corporation, 41 per cent of ATM buttons carry bacteria and viruses that could cause colds and flu.

Imagine the damage potential they have during a pandemic such as the COVID-19 outbreak.

Most people, including COVID-19 infected people, will use the Automated Vending Machines; thus, physical contact with these machines may spread the coronavirus and other viral infections.

Computer Keyboards

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Research shows laptop or computer keyboards are 20,000 times dirtier than lavatory seats.

This implies that dangerous bacteria such as Coliforms, E.Coli, Pneumonia Salmonella, norovirus, coronavirus, and MRSA are at your staff’s or customers’ fingertips.

Studies show that you will come across a computer keyboard five thousand times daily if you are an accountant, programmer, or white-collar worker. There is also the case where you sneeze or cough when using the computer. This makes it a high-risk avenue for bacteria and germs.

Escalator Rails

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The Kimberly-Clark Corporation found that escalator rails in public places carry about 43 per cent of disease-causing germs.

Escalator rails harbour food, urine, mucus, faeces, E.Coli, and blood. Coronavirus highly spreads through saliva and mucus, and contact with these substrates will cause adverse health effects.

Lavatory Sinks

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The filthiest part of a toilet is the sink, according to health experts. Bacteria and viruses fester on handles and faucets since people touch these surfaces after handling their business in the loo.

The sink surface is moist, allowing prolonged survival of viruses and bacteria. The soap dispensers are also breeding grounds for disease-causing microorganisms.

Mistakes to Avoid When Cleaning and Sanitizing

Using Chemical Cleaners On Stone Tops

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Stone tops are natural surfaces and rarely get marks or stains. However, refrain from using chemical cleaners on these platforms.

When you scrub these locations using chemical products like ammonia, bleach or vinegar to sanitize it may cause abrasions. You could instead utilize soapy water and be gentle when cleaning it.

Using Chemical Cleaners On Stainless Steel Surfaces

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Chemical sanitizers like bleach will corrode metal surfaces such as stainless steel. Clean the surface using warm soapy water then dry it later.

Not following product instructions.

Follow label guidelines when using a disinfectant and train your employees on how to use various disinfectants.

Ignoring labels leads to missing crucial points that could have dire repercussions.

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To Sum It Up

Identify the germ hotspots in your caravan park like doorknobs, faucets, countertops, toilet flush handles, microwave handles and control panels, and computer keyboards. Take the necessary steps outlined above to disinfect these surfaces.

Encourage guests and employees to practise good hand hygiene using signs and posters. Provide enough, conveniently located, and well-stocked hand wash sinks around your caravan park. This will minimize the spread of pathogens.

Employee training on hygiene standards will also go a long way in curbing the spread of diseases at your caravan park.