Team Newman wanted to take some time this week to put together a few recommendations for home cleaning during the COVID – 19 pandemic. You can find recommendations from the CDC here : https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/index.html.
The first step is to practice good personal health habits – Ensure everyone in your household is practicing preventative health habits. This includes washing your hands frequently for 20 seconds with soap and water. Hand washing should take place before and after eating and using the bathroom. The CDC also recommends washing hands after sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose.
Follow the manufacturers recommendations on all cleaning products – when cleaning your home, it is imperative to follow the suggestions from the manufacturer. These are most often found right on the packaging of the cleaning product itself. Also, please use this list as a guide for what products to use: https://www.americanchemistry.com/Novel-Coronavirus-Fighting-Products-List.pdf
Clean frequently used and touched areas and objects daily – This includes doorknobs, tables, countertops, light switches, tv remotes, video game controllers, bathrooms and kitchen cooktops. If it is something used frequently by anyone in the house, it needs to be cleaned with one of the recommended cleaning products.
If possible, choose a room and bathroom to set aside for someone who is sick – the CDC has helpful guidelines on how to care for someone at home : https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html
Avoid sharing with others in your home – Avoid sharing food and drinks with others in your home. Stay away from unnecessary contact and sharing utensils, remotes, towels, hairbrushes, etc. the fewer points of contact with others, the fewer opportunists there are to spread the virus.
Take care of your mental health as well – Periods of isolation and self-quarantine can be difficult. Make sure to give neighbors and family a phone call to check in on them and make sure they are doing alright. Outbreaks can be very stressful for children. The CDC has provided guidelines on how to communicate with children during stressful events : https://www.cdc.gov/childrenindisasters/helping-children-cope.html
