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Controlling Infections in Your Home

There are some procedures that you can follow in your home that could decrease the amount of exposure to infections that family members will experience.

You can make a difference in the way you store your supplies, in how you select your work area, the state of your supplies, and how you dress wounds. Usually the germs that are in the air or on your skin will not hurt you unless they can enter your body through a cut or wound on your skin surface. Once they enter through the skin they can then make their way to the bloodstream and cause serious illness. You can minimize this from happening by following the infection control procedures described below.

Proper storage of supplies:

Make sure that you store all of your solutions and supplies away from other household items and high out of the reach of children and pets.

If possible store cleaning supplies close to work areas.

Make sure that the storage area is free of any moisture and there is no possibility of them getting wet.

Supplies that must be refrigerated should have their own separate shelf that is kept clean.

Wound care should be done in an area of the home that is free of drafts, free from visible dirt, dust or clutter. Do not use the bathroom or kitchen to clean wounds. These two areas are the most germ-populated areas in your home.

To clean wounds you should have a smooth surface like a table, counter top, or tray. You should have enough space and a good light source. The wound area should be close to where the supplies are located. You will need a wastebasket to be nearby.

Wound care will include changing dressings. Here is a good procedure to follow for changing would dressings.

Steps Family Members Can Take To Decrease Infections

Body:

Showers are better than baths because they rinse away the dirt and germs instead of floating them in the water surrounding your body. A clean body is less likely to harbor germs and dirt.

Clothes

Wear only clean, dry clothing.

Home

The two rooms that harbor the most germs are the bathroom and the kitchen. These two rooms are the ones that you need to focus your cleaning efforts the most. Use bleach-based cleaners in the bathroom and kitchen and also for cleaning the toilet. Bleach kills bacteria. Wood cutting boards will breed bacteria, use only plastic or synthetic vinyl cutting board.

Remember to clean ALL surfaces in your home including the table, night stands, coffee table and end tables, door knobs, toilet flush handle, television remote, phone surfaces, computer keyboard, microwave control panel, refrigerator door handle, the handles and knobs to all door and drawers. Clean these surfaces with bleach based cleaner, sprayer or spray with Lysol spray.

Wash hands before and after touching food, especially when preparing food. Wash hands after being outside and when coming in from the garage or basement. Wash hands after going to the bathroom and after coughing or sneezing.