3 Ways to Prevent Getting Sick This Winter

It’s that time of year when getting sick gets more inevitable – winter. In the northern hemisphere, the coldest season seems to be notorious for also being flu season. As you are going to work, you may be exposed to more germs than during other times of the year, especially if coworkers with the sniffles are showing up. They may believe their symptoms are mild enough not to call off, but as they are coming and going, they are leaving germs on any surfaces they touch in shared spaces, such as bathrooms, kitchens/break areas, and conference rooms. These germs can stay on tables, door handles, electronics, and other office surfaces for significant periods of time, putting you at risk for getting sick.

Fortunately, there are some things you can do to decrease your chances of catching the flu or spreading germs. These are time-tested, proven practices recommended by the CDC to help fight sickness. Phoenix Service has you covered with 3 simple tips to follow.

Wash Your Hands

Regular hand washing is one of the best ways to prevent sickness year round. Winter is a high-risk season for catching the flu and other viruses because the colder temperatures allow the viruses to stay active longer. So it’s especially important to wash your hands properly during this season.

To correctly wash your hands, use warm water and soap and wash for at least 20 seconds. Dry them with paper towels or a contactless hand air dryer. Do this regularly throughout the day, and always after using the bathroom. Public restrooms are breeding grounds for germs. Along with this, wash your hands after coming into contact with bodily fluids, including your own. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Keep one at your desk or in a bag or purse.

Cough Etiquette

Everyone coughs at times even when they’re not sick. But whether you are sick or not, using proper cough etiquette at work can help prevent spreading germs. First and foremost, cover your cough – with a tissue, if possible. If you don’t have access to tissues, cover your mouth with your hands or cough into the crook of your arm. The crook-of-the-arm technique is best because then you aren’t transferring your germs to your hands, which will likely touch surfaces before they get washed. Or you may cough into your hand and then forget to wash them. By the time you are able to wash, you may have already spread your cough germs to multiple other surfaces. So, go for the bent-arm technique, and wash your hands with soap and water as soon as possible.

Clean Your Space

A clean work environment has multiple benefits, not the least of which is health and safety. Keeping germs to a minimum by cleaning regularly not only keeps employees healthy but also has the potential to increase productivity; you are more likely to do your best work when you are feeling your best. Cut down on germs circulating around your office throughout the day by following a few simple steps.

First, clean and disinfect daily. Pay particular attention to high-touch surfaces like door knobs, phones, and keyboards. Wipe them with disinfectant products to kill germs in shared spaces as well as your own personal work area. Second, keep your cleaning supplies stocked. Your office should have adequate tissues, paper towels, soap, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting products (disposable wipes or spray cleaners) to give the office a “clean sweep” once a day. Finally, send sick employees home. If someone starts feeling ill at work, allow them to leave before they infect others around them.

Taking an active role in cleaning your office every day can have powerful effects on reducing your risk of getting sick this winter. Following the above tips is a simple way to protect yourself during flu season and all year round. In addition, having a janitorial service come in and do some extra thorough deep cleaning can increase these benefits. If you need help combating the threat of cold and flu symptoms spreading around your office, call Phoenix Service for expert care. We’ll work with you to develop a customized cleaning regimen that meets your environment’s needs and schedule. Contact Phoenix Service to find out how we can help.