Even though there are less than a hundred active cases in Singapore, people should remain vigilant and be socially responsible. They should also comply with social distancing guidelines and practice good personal hygiene.
As a reminder, here are some excellent personal hygiene practices people can do during the pandemic.
Wash Hands Frequently
Washing the hands frequently is among the best defence against viruses. Parents need to emphasize this to the children, especially if they go out of the house. It may be necessary to demonstrate it to the children to ensure they know how to do it properly. It’s also advisable to use an automatic soap dispenser when washing the hands to avoid contact with dirty hands.
The parents should also remind their children to avoid sneezing or coughing on their hands. Instead, they can cover their mouth with a tissue when they sneeze or cough. They can also use their elbows if a tissue is not readily available.
If soap and water are not available, they can use a hand sanitizer. They should cover all parts of the hands while using the hand sanitizer and rub them for around 30 seconds until the hands feel dry. But soap and water are necessary when the hands are visibly dirty.
Wipe Mobile Devices
Wiping mobile devices every day is also advisable. Since people regularly use their mobile devices every day, they tend to collect a lot of germs. These germs and other microorganisms transfer from the hands to the devices even if people regularly wash their hands throughout the day.
The dirt may come from holding a rail while riding public transport or opening an office door. The oil from the skin can even allow bacteria to thrive. With this, it’s essential to clean the mobile devices once they reach home.
People should also avoid lending their devices to other people, especially those who are not a part of their household. When wiping mobile devices, it’s also essential to check if the sanitizer suitable for them. This is to avoid damaging the mobile device.
Clean High-Traffic Areas
At home, people should clean high-traffic areas regularly, especially if some people in the house go out for work every day. These people may bring germs into the home. To stop the spread of any germs, it is vital to regularly clean areas where people typically use or pass through. Aside from vacuuming the site regularly, people should also wipe and mop them.
The areas that will require cleaning include doorknobs, light switches, handrails, chairs, tables, and bathroom and kitchen areas. Cleaning these areas regularly reduces the risk of infection. It’s also essential to use products recommended by the authorities to clean these areas.
Designate Storage Area for Shoes and Clothes
People should set aside an area in the home where they can store items they used outside until they are cleaned. These items can include clothing, shoes, and bags. While Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) is an effective way of disinfecting services, the National Environment Agency (NEA) does not recommend its use in homes due to the potential health risks its ultraviolet-C (UVC) rays can cause.
Instead, households can use household disinfectants to clean these storage areas. These disinfectants should have active ingredients suitable for disinfection against the Covid-19 virus. To ensure the presence of these active ingredients, people should check the label. They can also use the hot water cycle in cleaning these fabrics. They can wash them with disinfectant or detergent in 70-degree centigrade water for 25 minutes.
Sanitize Fabrics
People should make sure to sanitize all the fabrics in the house. These fabrics include carpets and the sofa. To clean and sanitize these fabrics, one should hire a cleaning contractor to properly disinfect rugs, cushions, pillows, and mattresses. This is particularly true if a confirmed case used them recently.
For hand or kitchen towels, people can wash them in hot water with disinfectant or detergent in 70-degree centigrade water. They should do this every week to ensure they’ll remove any microbes that may have thrived in them.
Call Before Visiting Healthcare Professionals
There may be instances when it’s necessary to go for a check-up, or the kids have to see a dentist. In these situations, the parents should set an appointment first before visiting the doctor or dentist. While these health professionals are accepting patients, they only accept appointments. There is also a limitation on the patients they are accepting.
Singapore may be managing the pandemic better than other countries in the region, but it’s still essential for everyone to cooperate and observe health protocols to avoid getting infected.