Six Ways to Clean Up Your Act at Work

Posted by in Healthcare


The workplace is like a mini community where people from all different backgrounds, standards, upbringing and values come together for approximately eight hours a day. They sit close together or in adjacent work stations. They may eat in a communal cafeteria or break room, sharing a microwave, coffee pot, refrigerator and utensils. They are elbow-to-elbow in a conference room, training room or auditorium for hours on end for meetings or training sessions. They may share a vehicle, stand or sit together on an assembly line, or deal with a constant stream of customers. Of course, when nature calls, they share the same facilities. All this togetherness and diversity can cause clashes on proper hygiene. 

 

While computer keyboards, desktops and break room appliances are known for their germ attraction, another device is taking its place as a potential threat to workplace health. The smartphone. 

 

A recent article in The Wall Street Journal, "Calling All Germs," reports that holding a cell phone in close proximity to your nose, eyes and throat can be a threat to your health. What? The beloved smartphone that you stood in line all night for and sacrificed half the rent money is a potential killer? According to Jeffrey Cain, President of the American Academy of Family Physicians, bacteria from a phone can cause, “…flu, pinkeye and diarrhea.” That innocent electronic instrument we can’t live without is a germ magnet that can send us running to the facilities or the hospital.

 

And they go everywhere. Who hasn’t listened to a conversation going on in the next bathroom stall? How does a person complete all the necessary steps in that process while holding a cell phone? Proper hand washing may be commendable, but what about the phone? Where is it? Perched on the edge of the bathroom sink? In a pocket or handbag? You get the picture. 

 

While there are some ways to clean a smartphone, most people don’t. Cell phones go everywhere, picking up germs along the way without a spritz of sanitizer or water wipe-down. They sit on conference tables, desks, on the treadmill at the gym and get dropped on the floor--and go right back to the ear or thumbs of their owner. If you're worried about germs from your smartphone, here are some tips to stay healthy and connected:

 

  1. Read the manufacturer’s directions and clean your phone. Of the possible cleaning products, alcohol worked best and water had the least success. However, alcohol can damage some phone screens, so it’s best to check your phone’s directions before using any cleaning product.
     
  2. Clean it often. While desk phones, computer keyboards and keys can harbor illness-bearing germs, they aren’t used constantly like a smartphone. 
     
  3. Watch where you put it. Just because it has a plastic cover and a screen protector, it doesn’t mean you can rest it on the bathroom floor, gym equipment, kitchen counters (right next to the raw chicken) or in the baby’s diaper bag. (Don’t even think about what’s lurking in there!) Find a clean spot to give it a rest.
     
  4. Make it short. The longer you have it cradled against your ear and face, the more time germs have to migrate. Besides, who needs to talk all the time, anyway!
     
  5. Resist the urge to text while you’re eating, cleaning, cooking, picking up after the dog, changing the baby or other messy activities. 
     
  6. Give it a rest. Practice phone abstinence periodically. When phones were tethered to a cord in a wall, people took the time to talk face-to-face. Not a bad idea.

 

It’s nice to be connected, but too much togetherness, it seems, can make you sick. Give your smartphone some downtime. It’s a good prescription for a healthier life.

 

Photo Source:  Freedigitalphotos.com

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  • Vicky B
    Vicky B
    GREAT ADVISE. Never even occured to me that cell phones were the new germ carrier for the Germicphobism Monister.
  • Sue
    Sue
    this really hit the nail on the head, a baby of someone I know has been sick for 3 days, vomitting, etc. the baby was touching the mom's phone on the dining room table.  sounds like a bad germ to me. it's terrible how much we feel we need to have that constant contact.  I will no longer bring my phone when I am using the facilities. I don't even have a smart phone but germs are everywhere.
  • nancy w
    nancy w
    why, are alot of people just pigs in whatever they do? Some people make a mess werever they are, even at their own home and dont even seem to care, or consider that they might have to clean it up, so our cell phones are dirty, even when we talk to these people.............
  • Rosemarie Ortiz
    Rosemarie Ortiz
    Good info, will take the advise given.
  • Carrie C
    Carrie C
    Good information...
  • Erlene H
    Erlene H
    Good thinking.
  • Jose Acosta
    Jose Acosta
    Good idea!
  • tammy ryder
    tammy ryder
    My family members are really known to take their phone to the bathroom with them-they are not in the tub.  I am pretty sure she (they) dont wipe the phone down after she (they) wash her hands. eeewww but I'm sure she isnt the only one on the planet.  I wont take mine because i am afraid i will drop it in the comm ode.
  • Mary Nestor-Harper
    Mary Nestor-Harper
    thanks for all the comments.  I am more conscious of where my phone is and try to minimize use if possible.  I like the comment about using cell phones in restaurants. Aside from picking up germs while eating and talking, it's just rude!  Who wants to hear someone else's conversations?   Thanks for pointing that out, Beverly.
  •  A Thomas
    A Thomas
    I feel the point made was well stated we as a people  most often avoided face to face communication and cell phones added to the an age old problem and we should use proper hygiene often
  • Timothy C
    Timothy C
    I think this some very valuable and necessary information. Thank you
  • Delores A
    Delores A
    Smart suggestions!  I don't use a smartphone, my phone is old.  If it isn't broke, don't replace it just to keep up with the Jones'.  But when I need to get one, I;ll keep this in mind!  Very helpful!  Thanks!
  • Eleanore G
    Eleanore G
    Joan said it right, good info that needs to be put to good use. Just have to remember.
  • Deborah K
    Deborah K
    This is a great article, so true! Thanks for sending!
  • Lonzo J
    Lonzo J
    I wish people were cleaner. A little common sense doesn't hurt. Their's nothing wrong with having a little better healthy habits in your day to day life.
  • Beverly M
    Beverly M
    Don't use the cell phone while eating, especially in a restaurant where everyone around you is forced to hear all of your private business!  Besides being rude, eating while using the phone is a perfect way for germs to be ingested from your hands.  
  • Elizabeth E
    Elizabeth E
    Yes a cell phone is convenient but it can convey germs and continually interrupt your thoughts and activities with calls.  I really think that a cell phone is great because it records messages and can be left at home, if you leave it there.
  • Loretta R
    Loretta R
    Very good article with great points.  Is the headset better?  Maybe, gets laid down in less places, but is still probably touched with dirty fingers.
  • Barry H
    Barry H
    Great information.  Thank you.
  • Stephanie G
    Stephanie G
    Great advice and reminder.
  • yvonne p
    yvonne p
    Never really thought about it but all those things you talked about mostly I have done,thanks for bringing this to my attention, I will be more careful about my phone and germ it carries from now on - thank you
  • Joan B
    Joan B
       Great information! Now if I will just remember when it is time to stay germless!

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