It’s inevitable for us to be exposed to all sorts of germs as we go through our day, be it at the office, school, restaurant, grocery store, and what with our poor public transport system.

This is why infection prevention at home is absolutely necessary to keep us and our loved ones safe! But we need to be mindful because it can also generate a lot of unnecessary waste, and we may be using cleaning agents with harmful chemicals.

Here are some steps to take as you’re entering your home, while limiting our impact on the environment:

1. Take off your shoes and sanitize.

Before entering your home, take off your shoes, spray alcohol on the soles, and then bring them inside after a while.

2. Sterilize your stuff.

You can’t really tell where the bottom and surfaces of your suitcase or bag have been, so make sure to spray it with alcohol or non-toxic disinfectant. If it’s made of sensitive material, use a soft cloth wet with a solution of water and dish soap to wipe its exterior.

3. Once inside, wash your hands immediately.

Washing your hands for 20-30 seconds is important, but you don’t have to keep the faucet running the whole time! You can wet your hands, turn off the faucet, and use soap to thoroughly clean your palms, back of your hands, finger gaps, back of your fingers, thumbs, fingertips, and wrist. Then, turn the faucet back on when it’s time to rinse.

4. Disinfect your gadgets.

Studies related to viruses like SARS have shown that germs can live on anything from a number of hours to several days, depending on the type of surface, and the temperature and humidity, which is why it’s important to clean your gadgets regularly. 

For electronics, make sure they are turned off before wiping it using a microfiber cloth–no need to use disposable wipes, which typically contain plastic–with a small amount of a solution of diluted dish soap and warm water, or alcohol (gadget buffs say that most mobile phones nowadays are resilient, so you may also use alcohol for cleaning mobile screens).

Another option getting popular among techies is the use of personal UV light sanitizing devices for cleaning electronics and surfaces.

5. Have other members of your household do the same!

Of course it’s important to also have your family members and housemates practice these precautionary steps–it’ll be easier for everyone to stick to the habits, too!

This public health emergency is teaching us to be more conscious of our day-to-day activities. Besides taking these steps whenever you enter your home, there are also other things you can practice, like avoiding crowded places, keeping your household clean (especially frequently touched surfaces), and boosting your immune system through a plant-based diet. 

We also encourage everyone not to panic, and stay informed by following these official channels: