Taking proper care to kill germs after you come into contact with these germ hotspots can be one of the keys to staying healthy this season. The tricky part is many of these hotspots are places you encounter when you’re on the go and aren’t necessarily close to a sink. That’s where keeping a portable hand sanitizer handy like those offered from PURELL (R) can help.

The gas station and convenience store
When you’re pumping gas, have you ever thought about how many other hands have touched the same pump since the last time it was wiped down? A recent study confirmed that gas pumps are one of the filthiest items we encounter in everyday life. After you fill your tank, your next move should be to reach for that bottle of hand sanitizer in your car. And while cashiers typically work hard to keep their counters clean, it’s never a bad idea to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer after exchanging cash or touching other common areas in the store.

The gym
Most health clubs go to great lengths to keep equipment clean and make members feel comfortable. But if you’re hopping on the treadmill right after someone else, it never hurts to use a sanitizing wipe, which many clubs keep readily available. Pay it forward by using another one when you are done.

Grocery store
If you’re a parent, you know that it’s not just the driver’s hands that are getting all over the shopping cart, since kids tend to be obsessed with any moving object with wheels. Consider using a sanitizing wipe before touching a grocery cart. Once you’re done shopping, cleansing your hands and any younger shopping companions’ hands with sanitizer is a good way to stem the spread of germs that might have been picked up from frequently touched surfaces in the store.

The mall
Escalator and stair railings, as well as drinking fountains and armrests on benches, see a lot of action throughout the day and collect germs quickly. Put those sanitizing stations in the shopping center’s hallways to good use after touching these areas.

At work
Frequently touching your desk, phone and keyboard means germs multiply at your work station. Keeping tissues and hand sanitizer at your desk can also be helpful for those emergencies when you can’t leave your seat immediately to get to the sink.

There’s no way to avoid germs altogether during the winter germ season, but you can take action by recognizing some of the most common areas where germs tend to congregate. By keeping your bottle of PURELL (R) Hand Sanitizer close, you’ll make sure you can keep your hands fresh and clean no matter where you are.

The post Germ Hotspots to Look Out For During Cold and Flu Season first appeared on The How Do Gardener.

Donna Duberg, a leading hygiene expert, assistant professor of clinical laboratory science at Saint Louis University and member of the Tork Green Hygiene Council, says increased activity during the summer could foster the spread of germs. “We all want to take advantage of warmer weather by going outside to swim or having family picnics, but it’s important to be mindful of proper hygiene practices to keep your summer healthy and happy. Keeping small steps in mind – like proper hand hygiene and food safety tips – could prevent unwanted illness.”

To ensure you make the best of your summer, follow Duberg’s suggested tips:

Share fun, not your towel
Swimming is a refreshing summertime activity, but it’s important that each member of your family be allotted their own bathing towel. Wet towels harbor germs, and exchanging them among each other can spread unwanted bacteria. Give your kids their own special summer towel in a design or color they love so they can easily distinguish which towel belongs to them.

Don’t let your picnic turn sour
Picnics are a popular perk of summer, but warmer weather allows bacteria to grow more easily on food. The CDC indicates that one in six people will suffer from a foodborne illness. To protect against an unfortunate sickness, make sure you carefully handle food and minimize contaminants, and keep the following tips in mind:
* Before eating or cooking, thoroughly clean all surface areas before placing food on them.
* Place all raw meat in foil and store it away from any ready-to-eat items.
* Sufficiently cook all meat. According to the CDC, cooking meat to 160 degrees Fahrenheit can help kill harmful bacteria.
* If you’re heading to an area that doesn’t have handwashing stations, bring anti-bacterial hand sanitizer.
* Sufficiently cover all food and eating utensils to protect from insects that carry harmful bacteria.
* Stock your picnic with plenty of recycled paper napkins, plates and cups to limit the spread of bacteria.

Stay on the road to healthy living
If you’re planning a family trip this summer, be sure to keep hygiene top of mind when visiting washrooms along your route. Germs can be found anywhere from rest stops to hot dog stands to airport restrooms. When washing your hands in a facility that contains recycled paper towels, you can also use the paper towel to open door handles to keep your newly clean hands as germ-free as possible. If you visit a washroom with a hot air dryer, make sure to dry your hands thoroughly. According to recent research from SCA, a global hygiene and paper company, only 57 percent of hot air dryer users keep their hands under the dryer until they are completely dry. Failure to dry hands properly is a dangerous habit, as wet hands transfer 500 times more germs than dry hands.

Beware of bacteria at food fests
Summer food fests can be lots of fun, but when large crowds are involved hygiene protection becomes more difficult. One way to keep your food fests fun is to consistently wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before you take a bite out of your favorite snack. With food and money rapidly changing hands throughout the gathering, you could be faced with an excess of germs that can make you sick.

Take a trip to the nearest handwashing station or restroom to thoroughly wash and dry your hands to make the most of your outdoor social experience.

For more hand hygiene and sustainability tips from Duberg and the Tork Green Hygiene Council, please visit www.torkgreenhygienecouncil.com.

The post Keep Summer Fun High and Exposure to Germs Low first appeared on The How Do Gardener.