Protecting Your Home Against Coronavirus

Coronavirus, or Covid-19, just made landfall in Bangladesh. But regardless of its presence in the country or how much it may spread in the future, it is imperative to remember that there is no need to PANIC! According to several organizations like WHO, Even the common influenza is more dangerous than Covid-19 in terms of spread. And in order to protect yourself and your family, all you need to do is follow a few precautions – starting with your home which will drastically reduce your chances of contracting the Covid-19. However, there is a lot of misinformation floating around social media regarding this issue such as that the virus is unusually large and cannot survive in a warmer climate – citing UNICEF as the source. All that information, however, is entirely incorrect. So, let’s take a look at a few REAL tips on how to protect your home against coronavirus.

• • • • • • • • • • • Regularly Clean “High-Traffic” Surfaces

There are a few objects in all our homes that receive greater “traffic” than others, as in, some objects or surfaces are more touched. This includes tables, dining chairs, light switches, toilets, doorknobs, handles, and remotes. A lot of people frequently touch these objects throughout the day. As a result, they are at greater risk of coronavirus contamination. That is why, to protect your home against coronavirus, such surfaces need to be cleaned regularly and thoroughly. If necessary, cleaning them once or twice a day will result in the most protection. Store-bought alcohol-based cleaners and detergents are enough to disinfect them.

• • • • • • • • • • • Limit Sharing Items

The exact transmission process of the virus is still being figured out, but they certainly transmit through repository droplets. These droplets can, when sneezed or coughed onto a surface, be picked up by unsuspecting people onto their clothes and all sorts of surfaces. And when these droplets enter the body of a healthy individual – through mouth or nose – they become infected as well. That is why, as a measure of precaution, it is advised to either limit or prohibit the sharing of objects such as dishes, drinking glasses, cups, utensils, or even towels and bedding – as they are more susceptible to become carriers of the virus.

• • • • • • • • • • • Wash Immediately After Use

While it is a good practice by itself, in order to protect your home against coronavirus, washing all your items as soon as you are done using them is a good step to take. The dishes, the utensils – clean them using hot water and soap once you are done with them. There is no need to do anything fancy. Just scrub them really well with soap and that’s it. The same goes for laundry, especially if your clothes, towels or bedding have any blood or body fluids. Hot water and detergent are enough to disinfect them.

• • • • • • • • • • • Disinfect Electronics

Often, people forget how dirty or susceptible electronic items such as appliances, phones, laptops, tablets, or even laptops can get. Phones, in particular, constantly remain at our side – whether we are inside or outside. They unintentionally come into contact with a lot of foreign objects and can easily pick up the virus. So, just as we wash our hands and mouths after returning home, our electronic devices should be cleaned as well; especially if you are committed to protecting your home against coronavirus. While soap and water may do the trick, they are hardly appropriate for electronic devices. Instead, use alcohol pads to clean home appliances and electronics, which are better as a cleaning agent and they work as a disinfectant as well.

• • • • • • • • • • • Mop the Floors

Mopping the floors of our homes is a regular practice here in Bangladesh, but to really protect your home against coronavirus, you need to take a step further. Even though there is a low probability of picking up the virus from the floor, it is always better to be safe than sorry. As it stands, most floors are washed using only water and not even soapy water, which leaves them vulnerable. So, to truly clean the floors, start mixing antiseptic disinfectants into the water used. This will clear out not only any hint of Covid-19 but also most other germs.

• • • • • • • • • • • Clean the Cleaning Equipment

Reusing “dirty” cleaning equipment such as sponges and mops may do more harm than help and can accidentally help spread viruses. An item that was used to clean a vulnerable or infected surface may still have residue left on it. That is why the items themselves need to be rinsed and washed using hot water and then dried using heat.

• • • • • • • • • • • Pet Care

Pets are one of the members of our family and we try our best to make them feel that as well. But unfortunately, pets can be carriers of Covid-19 without anyone knowing. And, there have been some reports of dogs being infected with the virus as well. So, to protect your home against coronavirus, pet care needs to be taken into account as well. Bathing your beloved cat or dog every day is a good start, and not just with water. Try to use soap and proper disinfectant to make sure you and your pet are safe. Furthermore, it is also advised not to let your dog play with unfamiliar or infected individuals.

• • • • • • • • • • • Limit Outsiders

Limiting the number of people you let into your home may not be an ideal, but it can be an effective move to protect your home against the virus. The incubation period for Covid-19 is between 2 and 14 days. Even then, the symptoms may not outright signify the virus. As such, limiting outsiders can be a necessary protective move for the time being.

Bangladesh had been ranked as one of the most vulnerable countries against coronavirus in recent times, and the virus has now made its presence well. But it is important to understand that this coronavirus is preventable with just a bit of precaution. So, take the measures mentioned here from today and start protecting your home against Covid-19.