Hygiene Protocol On Returning Home From Outdoors

Dr Titty Mary Thomas, Specialist Family Medicine, Aster Clinic - JLT

There has been an emphasis on personal hygiene since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, but as the virus continues to spread, implementing a few stringent practices at home has become essential. There is no doubt that once you are outdoors, you come in contact with frequently touched areas.

Therefore, it is important to be cautious and practice some basic tips to keep you and your family safe when you come home from work or the outdoors, in general:

1. Don’t wear shoes inside: Whenever you enter the house, remove your shoes straight away as you don’t want to bring germs from the outside into your home. Take your shoes off at the front door and slip into some home slippers instead.
2. Leave your wallet and bag near the front door: Just as your hands can become contaminated, so can your purse, handbag or backpack, especially if you’ve had it resting on public surfaces. Therefore, when you arrive home, leave your bag near the front door. Avoid placing your bag on the dining table, kitchen counter or on your bed as you could risk contaminating the clean surfaces of your house.
3. Wash your hands as soon as you get home: The minute you’re through your front door, head straight for the washroom to wash your hands. Keeping your hands clean (and away from your face) is one of the easiest ways to help prevent the virus or any other related illness. The best way to wash your hands is following the correct handwash technique as given below.

   

   Source: World Health Organization - Infection Prevention and Control

4. Sanitise your mobile devices every day: We take our mobile devices everywhere (from the bed to the toilet), so it makes sense that it could be crawling with germs and virus. And it most definitely is. Your hands are usually the most common way of spreading bacteria from the phone to your face or body. The easiest way to effectively clean your phone is with an alcohol wipe.
5. Disinfect surfaces around the house: High traffic areas like door handles, remote controls, light switches are a rest house for germs which makes it important to clean and disinfect them regularly to avoid passing bacteria from person to person. Pay particular attention to kitchen benches, your dining table and desktops as well. When cleaning, wear disposable gloves and dispose of when you’re finished.
6. Take a shower: Last but not the least change your clothes as soon as you return home and take a shower. Avoid re-using clothes and preferably put your used clothes straight into the washer or a separate laundry basket. Whenever possible use hot water for washing. Last but not the least change your clothes as soon as you return home and take a shower. Avoid re-using clothes and preferably put your used clothes straight into the washer or a separate laundry basket. Whenever possible use hot water for washing.

“Prevention is better than cure”, is a very old saying but it still stands true. Take care of yourselves and your family by taking up simple habits in your day-to day lives.