The rise of Covid-19 cases caused by the spread of the Coronavirus in the U.S. has forced many of its citizens to stay home and away from the public. Shops have closed down for an indefinite period of time, employees who could have begun working from home, and food and other necessities are being sent to homes through online shopping. Staying home is key to flattening the curve and self-isolating not only lowers the rate for getting infected, it also keeps you safe from infecting others if you are asymptomatic with the Coronavirus. But staying indoors begs the question, if this virus is an invisible foe, how do we keep safe indoors? Here are some tips on how to protect against Coronavirus at home.
How to protect against Coronavirus at home: Ensure cleanliness at all times!
Frequently wipe down or sanitize surface areas around the home.
Coronavirus is a virus that is spread through droplets that are let out by humans when they cough, sneeze, or talk. People, especially those who are sick, are now encouraged to wear masks because these droplets that carry the virus from an infected person can be inhaled by another, thereby infecting him or her as well. Droplets can also land on various surfaces, upon which the virus can survive for up to days, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found in March. It is therefore important to wipe down or sanitize surface areas around the home, especially ones that are frequently touched by family members—door knobs, refrigerator or cabinet handles, countertops, tables, and other surfaces. This is one of the most basic ways of how to protect against Coronavirus at home.
1. Better Life Natural All-Purpose Cleaner Wipes in Clary Sage & Citrus
Great on multiple surfaces such as countertops, doorknobs, walls, tables, appliances, sporting equipment, toys, and more, these Better Life Natural All-Purpose Cleaner Wipes effectively clean your home without the chemicals. It does not contain sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates, petroleum solvents, parabens, ethers, alcohol, ethoxylates, dyes, and synthetic fragrances so you know it’s safe to use around the family, especially during this crucial time. Better Life prides itself in being environmentally friendly, as its formulas are biodegradable and their products are packaged using solar energy and recyclable materials, and never tested on animals. Shop at Amazon.
2. MiracleWipes for Electronics Cleaning
Make sure that electronics stay clean and germ-free with MiracleWipes for Electronics, which can be used on TV screens, smartphones, laptops, tablets, cameras, and more. It’s specifically designed to not cause damage to any type of electronics while getting rid of dirt, fingerprints, watermarks, and other grime. Shop at Amazon.
3. Seventh Generation All Purpose Cleaner in Free & Clear
Fight grease, grime, and dirt in your home with this biodegradable, septic safe, and USDA Certified Biobased Product from Seventh Generation. This all-purpose cleaner contains no harsh chemicals, petroleum-based solvents, glycol ethers, phosphates, acids, caustics, dyes, or fragrances. All you get is a good, safe clean like no other. Shop at Amazon.
4. Puracy All Purpose Cleaner, Household Natural Multi-Surface Spray
Safely clean surfaces at home with this plant-based formula that effectively cleans up life’s messes on various surfaces such as countertops, bathrooms, floors, car dashboards, furniture, glass, and more. It’s made with food-grade, plant and mineral-based ingredients that’s free from harsh chemicals and fumes so you know it’s safe for your family. Shop at Amazon.
5. VEO Active-Probiotics All Purpose Cleaner Spray Multipurpose Cleaner, Citrus Blossom Scent
Powered by Active-Probiotics, this multipurpose cleaner from VEO biodegrades dirt and grime at a microscopic level so you get a deep clean every time. It provides up to 3 days of surface protection with its biodegradable formula that is safe for the environment and your family. This product does not contain chlorine bleach, formaldehyde, phosphates, and Quads. Shop at Amazon.
Consistently clean your phone, tablet, computer, and other frequently held electronics.
Do you know how dirty your mobile phone is at any given moment? Business Insider reports that a 2011 study from researchers at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found that there is fecal matter in one out of every 6 mobile phones and that most phones have high levels of environmental bacteria. So how does it get there? Most likely through our hands. Dr. Charles Gerba, a professor of microbiology at the University of Arizona told USA Today,”We touch more surfaces than any generation in history, from ATM machines to self-checkout counters. So, you’re picking up germs all the time on your hands and fingers, putting them on your cellphone and bringing them close to your nose, mouth or eyes.” This is precisely why we need to sanitize our mobile phones and wash our hands frequently. Encouraging others to do the same can enlighten them on how to protect against Coronavirus at home. Use wipes designed to clean electronics or a tissue paper dampened with an alcohol solution to clean your phone.
Learn how to protect against Coronavirus at home by installing sanitation stations by the front door.
Your home doesn’t need a boot room to have a sanitizing station by the door (although having a boot room would be really cool). A sanitising station by your door can be as simple as having some hand wipes or hand sanitizer in a pump bottle by the door, right beside the tray for your keys. It’s a gentle reminder for family members to grab some sanitizer and clean their hands anytime they come in or out of the door. For those who have boot rooms, it’s good to have a section for footwear strictly used for outdoor purposes and footwear for indoor use. Alternately, you can keep all outdoor footwear outside and store them outside your home for when you head out and remove them as soon as you get home before stepping inside the house to help reduce the transfer of germs, bacteria, and viruses.
If necessary, wipe clean items that come into your home and discard packaging immediately.
The Guardian reports that while there has been research about Coronavirus surviving on surfaces such as cardboard for up to 24 hours and plastic for up to 72 hours, there has been no evidence of the transmission of the disease by surface contact. However, infectious disease epidemiologist and Harvard Medical School professor Julia Marcus said that there is a “hypothetical risk of infection through touching a contaminated surface and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.” This is why frequent and proper handwashing is encouraged by health authorities, to eliminate viruses on one’s hands. While you may not need to disinfect every object that comes into your home, it may be beneficial to wipe clean some items that come into your home. For those that come in multiple packaging such as cereal, you can easily discard the cardboard box and store the contents in another clean container. For those who absolutely need to go to the grocery, the advice is to go during off-peak hours and make sure to bring some sanitizer or alcohol spray with you to disinfect your hands and your cart as you shop. It is also highly encouraged not to linger too long in the grocery, as there may be people who are unknowingly infected with Coronavirus and exposure to them may also get you infected. It’s also best to keep children at home and refrain from bringing them with you to the grocery, Vox reported.
Set up each family member’s dental kits.
If you want to maximize the benefits of how to protect against Coronavirus at home, make sure to practice good hygiene and ensure that everyone in the family does, too. Elizabeth Cranford Robinson, DMD at Cranford Dental told Best Life that during this critical time of Covid-19 infections, family members should have their own “paste, floss, and brush” kits instead of sharing just one tube of toothpaste and one box of floss. It’s also best to regularly replace toothbrushes and ensure that containers and kits stay clean. Here are some great dental health tools for those who are looking for an upgrade.
1. For Dad: Philips Sonicare FlexCare Classic Edition Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush
With three brushing modes (clean, white and massage) and two routines (Go Care and Max Care), the FlexCare offers 31,000 brush strokes per minute to offer maximum clean. Get $30 off for a limited time at Kohl’s.
2. For Mom: Oral B 6000 Electric Toothbrush
For busy moms who need a toothbrush that can keep up the Oral B 6000 Electric Toothbrush is equipped with Bluetooth communication for insightful feedback on your brushing habits. It is designed with the CrossAction brush head that surrounds each tooth with bristles angled at 16 degrees and a round head for tooth-by-tooth clean. Also features 3D cleaning action that oscillates, rotates, and pulsates to break up plaque. Get $70 off for a limited time at Kohl’s.
3. For Kids: Brusheez Kids Electronic Toothbrush Set
Instill good hygiene practices in children with this fun Brusheez set, which features a battery-powered toothbrush that removes twice as more plaque than a regular toothbrush, an adorable animal-themed head cover, two toothbrush heads, a 2-minute sand timer to make brushing interesting, and a holder stand. Shop at Kohl’s.
4. Crest Pro-Health Active Defense Deep Clean Toothpaste, Pack of 3
Quarantine will keep us indoors for quite a while. To avoid heading out to the store, order enough for four to six weeks worth of essentials, just like this pack of 3 Crest Pro-Health toothpaste. It is powered by active defense technology that neutralizes plaque bacteria and keeps gums and teeth healthy by preventing enamel erosion from dietary acids. This best-selling product is available at Amazon.
5. Tom’s of Maine Natural Fluoride Wicked Cool! Children’s Natural Toothpaste
Let kids enjoy dental hygiene with the Wicked Cool! toothpaste from Tom’s of Maine. It has a mild mint flavor that is formulated without artificial preservatives, colors, aluminum, parabens, and phthalates, so you know it’s safe for your little one. This children’s toothpaste is made of naturally sourced, naturally derived ingredients that is safe to use and ADA-approved. This best-selling product is loved by parents and kids alike and is available on Amazon.
To stay updated on how to protect against Coronavirus at home and other Covid-19 safety stories, make sure to check out the links from our archive below. Don’t miss out on the safety information and make sure to share with family and friends.
COVID-19 Safety: Does Coronavirus Survive on Clothes?
COVID-19: How Coronavirus Affects the Body and How You Can Protect Yourself from the Virus
Best Health Boosters For The Immune System, According to Those Who Use Them
How to Avoid Getting the Coronavirus
Coronavirus Safety: How to Celebrate Easter Under Quarantine
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