Handsfree Dispenser

     Kids can be the greatest carriers of germs. Unfortunately some of those microbes cause illnesses like flus and colds. They usually do not wash their hands unless they are reminded. They handle toys, doors, phones, toilets, pets, books, and more. They sneeze and cough in those hands, in the air, and on objects. They need to be educated about germs and how to avoid them. Simple rules of hygiene for kids is what is needed. Handwashing, hand sanitizing, and sneezing and coughing into an elbow need to be emphasized.  Less sick days for kids, families, teachers, workers, and friends would be a great result.

     We all have to flush toilets unless we use a portable toilet like they have at outdoor functions or an outhouse. We don’t realize how fortunate we are compared to some parts of the world where they don’t have indoor, modern plumbing. I’ll never forget this remark made by a German who lived in Berlin during World War II.  Germany was invaded at the end of the war by troops that came from non-technological areas. They washed their potatoes in the toilets because they had never seen a toilet. Shocking?  Yes, but the following information may shock you even more.

I watched a demonstration by a scientist who wanted to show how flushing a toilet with the lid open causes a spray that can possibly reach twenty feet away.  He simply put a red dye in the toilet and flushed.  The droplets could be seen everywhere, on the floor to be picked up by feet, on the counters where toothbrushes are placed, on the toilet tissue holder, and on the person. This ought to motivate everyone to please close the lid.  When you use a public automatic toilet flusher, turn your back and move away.

     How many times do you enter a public restroom that is fully equipped with sanitary, touchless devices?  Not too often from my experience. In fact, some restrooms are the opposite with unclean soap dispensers, towel dispensers, flushers, and door handles. You know that these things have been handled by countless users before you.” What is the use of washing my hands?”, you say.  I totally agree.  I have used different strategies to get around this problem.  Once you wash your hands, whether the soap dispenser is automatic or not,  you want to avoid cross-contamination. The towel dispenser may or may not be hands free.  Use your arm or back of your hand if it is not to get a clean towel. Then use it to turn off the faucet if need be.  lastly open the door with that towel.  If there is no receptacle near the door in which to throw in the towel, leave it on the floor.  This sends a message to the establishment.  At least have a trash can at the door to protect your clients from germs when they exit.

     It is a good thing that we the public do not walk around with microscopes because we would not have peace of mind if we could see all the bacteria and viruses that travel with us. Of course not all microbes are harmful, in fact some of them are called “good bacteria”, meaning that they do not cause illness. They may even help boost the immune system. On the other hand, microorganisms that are disease-causing are responsible for colds, flus, MRSA (methicillin resistant staph aureus), gastrointestinal illness, and much more.  Most of us have travelled on airplanes so this eye-opener might shock you. Last week, on “The Doctors” television show on ABC, a stewaress called in anonymously to report to us events that she had witnessed in her career. Urine on the restroom floor that was picked up on a toddler’s feet and transferred to the passenger seat ot tray.  The tray which we use to place our food, reading material, and other items has been the target of vomit, sneezing, coughing, and even the a soiled diaper. You say “Ugh!”   Don’t forget the arm rests and head rests. Head rests have been known to harbor head lice and other nasty creatures. One good method to get rid of these germs is to carry an Ultraviolet Sanitizer Wand with you when you travel. The Ultraviolet-C Wavelength is germicidal and kills 99% of germs like E-coli, salmonella, flu and cold viruses, and allergens like dust mites. This same UV technology is used in hospitals to disinfect instruments. Simply hold the light over the area for about 20 seconds. Take it out in your hotel room or workplace and use it on doorknobs, keyboards, phones, remote, bed linens, toilet seats, toothbrushes, and odor-causing bacteria. Stay healthy with a wave of the wand.

     When workers have to stay home because of illness, it costs the employer money. When workers who are ill come to work anyway, they spread the germs that caused them to be sick. They touch doorknobs or handles, pens and pencils, phones, keyboards, and armrests.  If they sneeze or cough into their hands and droplets reach desktops, the workplace area is contaminated. Keyboards especially have been shown to harbor more bacteria than a toilet seat.    This ought to be enough reason to motivate management to do the following:

    Mount a hand sanitizer dispenser in a convenient location for workers.

    Provide disinfectant wipes that can be used to clean surfaces like phones etc.

    Switch to keyboards that can be disinfected and washed. Wise investment

    Automatic devices like towel dispensers improve restroom hygiene

    Hands free restroom door openers are the last link to keeping germs away

                                                  STAY HEALTHY

     As we go about our daily business we are unaware of the millions of germs we are in contact with.  Many of them are harmless, but on the other hand some of these organisms can cause illness.  It is impossible to avoid them all.  The best we can do is to wipe objects with a disinfectant wipe where it is possible, and to wash our hands after being in public, before touching someone, and before touching food. You don’t have to be a germaphobe to be safe.

     This is a ( incomplete) list of common germ carriers:    

     Purses, gym bags, diaper bags, credit and ATM cards, keys, cell phones, shopping carts, steering wheels, keyboards and a mouse, door knobs and light switches. The list could go on but these are the most frequent sources of germs. Travelling and staying in hospitals are a different story . DON’T FORGET TO WASH YOUR HANDS!                                  

Wash Your Hands

     Hands free towel dispensers are becoming popular in public restrooms. The public is more aware of restroom hygiene and avoiding cross-contamination. No one wittingly wants to touch devices that were handled by the prior user, especially in the high traffic of a public restroom.

     There are different types of touchless towel dispensers.  There are the sensor-operated dispensers like the popular enMotion models.  They are touchless because you just wave your hand in front of the sensor, and a towel appears. Other types have a centerfold towel that you can pull down for use. When you use these touch free towel dispensers you know that you are getting a germ-free paper towel.

      If the establishment that you visit does not have a hands free towel dispenser, give them a suggestion to install one. Then when you return, you will feel more secure in avoiding germs.