Where the Germs are Hiding:

PURSES Don’t put your purse on the bathroom floor: E. coli in spray droplets

following a flush may land on it. Hang it in the stall, and clean it inside and out weekly with a disinfecting spray

or wipe.

JEANS POCKETS

Bacteria that cause infections - from things you’ve touched - can get lodged in your pockets. The cure: Turn your pockets inside out before washing in superhot

water (160o kills germs).

CELL PHONES

Three of four mobile phones carry potentially dangerous germs, which

may include methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a recent

study shows. One solution: Try fast-drying Wireless Wipes (www.Wire-lessWipes.com) or similar product.

COMPUTER KEYBOARDS

& DESKS

Equally dangerous are your laptop or desktop computer keyboards and the surfaces

on which they sit. In fact, research shows that your public toilet seat

has fewer germs than most keyboards and desks! Again,

using sanitizing wipes designed for electronic equipment for your computer and a bleach-based kitchen wipe for your desk.

RINGS Ring wearers have more germs on their hands according to research by the CDC. If you wear rings, wash your hands more often. Also, gently clean your rings once a week with a mild bleach solution; rinse

well to prevent damage.

CREDIT CARDS

Sick cashiers can pass along germs like the flu virus when they handle

your card. Whenever possible, swipe it yourself. And clean your cards

gently once a week with a bleach-based disinfecting cleaner.

...That’s how long flu germs can live on your cell phone and other everyday items.

To learn more about preventing the spread of the flu, visit http://www.cdc.gov.

Sneaky Germs

8+ HOURS

Fortunately, experts say “dirty” money and showerheads pose no real health risks for most of us* but plenty of other things in your life do harbor potentially harmful germs.

* People with asthma or compromised immune systems should run the shower for a minute or take

baths instead.

People with influenza spread flu viruses mainly from person to person through

coughing or sneezing. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something - such as a surface or object - with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose.

In fact, the Centers for Diesease Control and Prevention (CDC) says:

How can you wage war against such germs? According to Dr.

Matt Arduino, acting chief of the CDC’s Clinical and Environmental Microbiology Branch, wash your

hands a lot.

every time you cook, use the bathroom, blow your nose, handle

garbage, or touch a public surface. The kind of soap doesn’t matter; the key is that the germs

are being washed down the drain.

Also, clean the hot spots of your house, apartment or dorm room frequently using

a disinfection solution of one part bleach to 20 parts

water or with an antibacterial product that has five percent bleach or that says it

kills 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria.

After hearing reports of dollar bills dusted with cocaine and bacteria lurking in showerheads, it’s a wonder we haven’t all turned into