Germs in Your House

Popular places for germs to live in your home are the kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms, and around your pets.

   The Kitchen  

Germs like damp things like sponges, cloth towels, and countertops. Try using paper towels to dry your hands or replace sponges and cloth towels very often.

The refrigerator can be a home to many germs. The lowest shelf of the refrigerator should be checked for spills and cleaned with soap and hot water when it is dirty. Throw away old food before it gets moldy!

Wipe off can tops and fruit before you put them in your mouth. You do not know who touched or coughed on your food before you brought it home from the grocery store.

   The Bathrooms  

Wash your hands! Germs love bathrooms because there are a lot of damp surfaces for them to live in. Close the lid of the toilet before flushing to keep water from splashing out. Wash your hands with warm water and soap after using the toilet. Dry your hands and replace the towels often. Why do you think it is a good idea to use paper towels to dry your hands if someone in your house is sick?

   Bedrooms and Living Rooms  

Open windows to air out rooms. Change bed linens often. Don't leave dirty clothes lying around on the floor. Clean surfaces like light switches, telephones, computer mice and keyboards. Vacuum and clean floors.

   Pets 

We love our family pets, but they can be guilty of spreading germs in the house. Do not let your pets sit on the kitchen counter. Keep kitty litter boxes away from the kitchen and places where small children play.

Make sure that you wash your hands before you eat, especially if you have been playing with your pet. Think about it: if your dog or cat was laying under the car, you pet him and then ate a sandwich; that is like rubbing your sandwich under your car!