Infectious diseases can spread very quickly in places such as schools. In fact, the spread of influenza is extremely common in school environments. This is why you have to protect yourself by getting vaccinated. Make sure that you stay home when you are sick, cover your mouth every time you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands as often as possible. Another thing that your school can do to slow down the spread of infectious diseases is by cleaning and disinfecting. Here are some tips on how to disinfect your school during flu season:
It is crucial that you understand the difference between cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing.
Cleaning washes off germs, dirt, and any impurities from surfaces and objects. To clean, you need to use soap or detergent with water to physically remove germs from surfaces. While cleaning does not completely kill germs, it still removes them, thereby reducing their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
Disinfecting kills germs on objects and surfaces. By using chemicals that can kill germs, the risk of spreading infection can be significantly reduced. Note that disinfecting does not clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but it can be done after the process of cleaning to kill the remaining germs.
Sanitizing reduces the number of germs on objects and surfaces to an acceptable level according to public health standards or requirements. The process works by either cleaning or disinfecting objects and surfaces to minimize the risk of spreading infection.
Surfaces and objects that are touched often, such as desks, doorknobs, computer keyboards, and faucet handles need to be routinely cleaned and disinfected, following the school’s standard procedures. These standard procedures may require these items to be disinfected every day. Bathrooms, in particular, are typically required to be cleaned and disinfected on a daily basis. Objects and surfaces that are noticeably dirty must be cleaned as soon as possible, especially if they are soiled with blood or body fluids.
Before you start doing your routine cleaning and disinfecting, you need to understand the kinds of germs you want to remove or kill first. For example, the flu virus can live and infect someone for up to forty-eight hours after being placed on a surface. This does not mean that you need to close your school just to clean or disinfect surfaces in the building. Flu viruses are known to be quite weak, and standard cleaning and disinfecting procedures are enough to remove or kill them. Therefore, other special cleaning and disinfecting processes are not necessary or encouraged. These procedures such as using room air deodorizers can irritate skin, noses, eyes, and throats, as well as exacerbate asthma.
Make sure that you follow label directions on cleaning products and disinfectants very strictly. Clean surfaces with a conventional household cleaner to remove germs, then rinse with water and follow with an EPA-registered disinfectant to kill germs. Again, read the label to see if the EPA has validated the product for effectiveness against influenza A virus.
If a surface or object is not noticeably spoiled, you can opt for an EPA-registered product that cleans as well as disinfects. Keep in mind that disinfection typically requires the product to remain on the surface for a certain time, usually three to five minutes. You can use disinfecting wipes on items that are touched often, such as phones and computer keyboards. Be sure to follow the directions of the product carefully.
If you’re looking for a commercial cleaning service in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Cleanrite Services
is your best option. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help.