A swine flu cleaning checklist can help you to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 2009 H1N1 flu virus infection (also referred to as swine flu) can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people may also have vomiting and diarrhea.
About a Swine Flu Cleaning Checklist
You have two good reasons to keep a Swine Flu cleaning checklist. The first is good day-to-day habits are positive measures against most infections, including flu viruses such as H1N1. The second is that if you or someone in your household contracts H1N1, you need to minimize the chances of spreading the virus to anyone else in the same house.
Basic Cleaning Tips
Washing your hands frequently is your first and best line of defense against infection by bacteria or virus. You should wash your hands:
- Before and after any meal
- After using the restroom
- When you get up and before you go to bed
- After sneezing or coughing (never wipe on your clothes)
- Avoid elbow sneezing
- After taking out trash
- Coming into contact with foreign surfaces (i.e. shopping carts)
- Keep hand sanitizer in your car for travel needs
Ideally, you want to wash your hands to prevent the transmission of viruses that pass most often from hand to mouth contact. If you or someone you know is sick, be sure to dispose of any and all tissues they have come into contact with and washing your hands afterwards.
More Cleaning Checklist Tips
Ideally, you want to keep all surfaces around you clean. The best way to do this is to use a household disinfectant or sanitizing wipes. Sanitizing wipes are easy to keep in your car, your purse or handy around the house. They are ideal for quick cleaning and sanitizing of surfaces such as shopping cart handles, kitchen counters, chair arms, and doorknobs. While you do not need to develop a germ phobia, regular wipe downs can prevent the spread of multiple viruses, not just H1N1 (swine flu).
- Disinfect children's toys regularly by wiping them down with sanitizer
- Spray play areas with Lysol regularly
- Keep wipes handy in the bathrooms for spot cleanings whenever you are in there
- Wipe down door handles two or three times a day if you have frequent visitors
- Wash bed linens at least once per week when healthy and swapping out to clean every day when not (don't hug laundry if person is sick)
- Sanitize all dishes with the dishwasher
- Sanitize toothbrushes in the dishwasher weekly or swap out for new ones
- Wash your hands after coming into contact with anything used by the sick person: linens, dishes, etc
- Keep gloves handy for deep cleaning tasks to avoid any contact with bacteria and viruses on your hands
Automobile Cleaning Tips
You may not think about cleaning the interior of your car, but doing so is an important part of swine flu (and other disease) prevention. After all, you sneeze, drive and come into multiple surface contacts while driving your car. For example, how often does someone clean a gas pump handle? Any time you fill up your car and then touch your steering wheel, there's a chance you're introducing more germs into your environment. This is a great reason to keep hand wipes and sanitizer in your car.Wipe down your steering wheel once a day to reduce germ contacts. Clean the dashboards and seats with a sanitizing wipe at least once a week. Do so more often if you or someone you are driving is coughing or sneezing in the car.
Sometimes, getting sick is inevitable. If you or someone you know suspects that they have swine flu, stay home, avoid contact with others and contact your physician. You may also find the most up to date information on swine flu via the CDC.
