Touchfree Towels

We are all reminded that the flu season is upon us. Even schoolchildren are instructed on how to avoid getting a flu, especially the H1N1 Swine flu. Cough and sneeze into the elbow, wash your hands before eating, wash your hands after using the bathroom, etc.

When using a public bathroom, often the toilet flusher, soap dispenser, and faucet is automatic, sensor-operated. How about the towel dispenser? Sometimes it is not a touchfree towel dispenser,so one must operate it with a wrist or arm so as not to contaminate the hands that were just washed. And then use that towel to exit the door if you need to.

Stay well and stay healthy

Gross Improves Restroom Hygiene

Evidently restroom messages that warn about spreading germs or getting sick by not washing hands is not as effective in motivating restroom users as gross messages with graphic pictures. At least not with students at Denver University.

Researchers observed that female students were leaving the restrooms without washing their hands. At first they tried messages that warned about germs and getting sick but these didn’t mean much to the students. So they switched to posters with graphic images and gross messages. Some examples were “poo-poo’s on your hands, wash your hands”, “you just peed, wash your hands’, and “who else sat on this pot?,wash your hands”. These signs brought about a change of a 26% increase in handwashing for the females and 8% for the males. These messages got their attention because they thought they would be walking around with “gross things” on their hands.

After washing hands in a public restroom, the ideal situation is to be able to dry one’s hands using a hands free towel dispenser and a hands free door opener to exit.

Restaurant Hygiene

When eating out whether it is in a fast food diner, or a fancy restaurant, keep in mind that germs are left behind by all the previous guests. The menu, especially is really handled. The waiter and other guests have looked at that menu many times. You have to use it too to place your order. So after you return it to the server, use a hand sanitizer before you touch your glass, tableware , or napkin. If you decide to wash your hands in the public restroom remember these tips. After your hands are washed, you need to get a paper towel the touchless way. If the dispenser is not automatic, use your wrist or back of the hand. Exit the restroom without handling the door opener, use your paper towel. Stay healthy and feel secure when you eat out.

Swine Flu Prevention

The Swine Flu, HINI, has caused commotion with the public. There is no need to panic. The CDC says that handwashing and hand sanitizers are important measures to take to prevent the spread of the disease. Eating pork that has been cooked to reach 160 degrees is safe to eat. Disinfecting objects is advised. Staying home when displaying symptoms is greatly stressed. Unnecessary travel ought to be postponed. One important way that the flu is transmitted is by respiratory means, whether it is by breathing the virus or by touching the nose with contaminated hands. This is where a face mask can be worn to protect against the sneezes and coughs of a sick person. The N-95 mask is a respiratory device and is the recommended type to use.
The virus is short-lived on objects but thrives in the nasal passage, so try to stay away from people who cough or sneeze.