Tips for reducing the spread in your home.

Health experts have recommended a series of practical steps for maintaining good hygiene at home to reduce the chance of the virus entering your home. These include:

• Take off your shoes before you enter your home
• Create a “station” to leave frequently touched items on – such as sunglasses, purses, wallets, keys and mobile phones
• Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds – do this often and thoroughly, especially after you have been outside your house
• Wipe down items brought into your home with detergent or soapy water (e.g. take away containers)
• Wash fresh produce with warm water
• Wipe down frequently touched surfaces twice a day with detergent, this includes:
  • Tables
  • Doorknobs
  • Light switches
  • Countertops
  • Desks
  • Telephones and mobiles
  • Keyboards
  • Toilets
  • Faucets
  • Sinks
• Pay special attention to the bathroom.

There is a lot of inaccurate information available about which products you should be using to clean your home. Cleaning and disinfecting is advised to help limit the spread of the virus and most everyday cleaning products will be suitable for thorough cleaning, but to kill the virus, a disinfectant is needed.

Firstly, clean surfaces using a detergent and water and unsure you scrub diligently to remove dirt, grime and dust. Then, apply disinfectant to kill the virus, again scrubbing diligently. For the disinfectant to be as effective as possible, make sure it has contact with the surface for at least 5-10 minutes. Use a bleach-based solution or an alcohol-based solution with at least 70% alcohol. The Australian Department of Health says you should use a disinfectant that claims “antiviral activity” – meaning it can kill a virus, for example, chlorine-based disinfectants.

It is important to note that natural cleaning products (e.g. vinegar) are not as effective as commercial cleaners and disinfectants. Most natural or “eco-cleaners” are unlikely to kill the virus. Be careful not to mix different cleaning products, as this can create dangerous solutions that are likely to be ineffective. Ensure you thoroughly wash any cloths you used to clean, and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water afterwards.END=GOLDEN AMITABHA MONASTERY=VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST NUN=THICH CHAN TANH.AUSTRALIA,SYDNEY.5/4/2020.