With the dangers of the current flu season, Kimberly-Clark Professional is
reminding people of precautions they can take in addition to vaccinations to
protect themselves against getting sick.
Kelly Arehart, global innovation manager for The Healthy Workplace Project,
Kimberly-Clark Professional, offers these flu-prevention tips:
- Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces. Viruses on surfaces like sink faucets and door handles can spread rapidly, especially in public places such as offices and schools. Cleaning surfaces with disinfecting wipes can reduce surface contamination on these germ hot spots. Facilities that provide these and other tools to employees, teachers and students can make a difference. Using a “wash, wipe, sanitize” workplace protocol can reduce the probability of catching the flu or cold by 80%, and can reduce surface contamination by 62%.
- Wash hands often. This is particularly important before eating, after using the restroom and after being outside. Use soap and warm water for 20 seconds. It is also important to dry hands with a clean, fresh towel. Use instant hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
- Prevent the spread of germs by covering nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing and throwing the tissue away. Use an antiviral tissue, since some cold and flu viruses can live up to 24 hours on regular tissues.
- If a tissue is not handy, cough or sneeze into your elbow to prevent the spread of germs. One sneeze can spray up to 3,000 infectious droplets into the air.
- If you get sick, stay home. CDC recommends that those who have flu-like illness should stay home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone.
Photo courtesy stock.xchng/evah