It’s hard to keep your hands free of germs, especially after handling objects that are picked up or used by many other people. Protect yourself by learning where germs lurk.
There are several items that we touch nearly every day that contain tens of thousands (sometimes hundreds of thousands) of harmful germs. Any time your hands come into contact with a surface that other people have previously touched, viruses and bacteria can be transferred from that surface onto your skin and clothing. You can avoid spreading germs by being aware of where these pathogens are commonly found. Here is a list of objects that harbor germs.
Gas pump handles and the handles of squeegees found at gas stations (used to clean car windshields)
Dollar bills and other forms of currency
Salad bar serving utensils
Straps on purses, briefcases, backpacks, diaper bags, and laptop cases
Mobile phones (people rarely clean these)
Salt and pepper shakers and napkin dispensers
ATMs
Exercise mats or yoga mats that are used by multiple people
Gym equipment
Doorknobs
Car steering wheels
Light switches
Arm rests on chairs
Coffee machines and coffee pot handles
Keyboards, computer mice, and mouse pads
Vending machines
Counter tops at libraries, banks, restaurants, and doctor’s offices.
Credit card pads and other touch pads
Shopping carts (handles, edges, and surfaces where children sit)
Parking meters
Mailbox handles and mailbox flags
Pens (in banks, doctor’s offices, etc.)
Remote controls
Refrigerator handles
Microwaves
Elevator buttons
Water fountains
Playground equipment and “bounce houses”
Escalator rails and stair rails
Crosswalk buttons
Restaurant menus, credit card trays, and folded books where the restaurant bill is placed
Bathroom stall door handles and latches
Toilet seats and bathroom garbage can
Bathroom floors (don’t let shoe laces touch the floor)
Kitchen sponges (this is arguably the most germ infested object in most people’s homes)
Basically, if a lot of hands have come into contact with an object, it can collect an assortment of viruses and bacteria. People forget where they have rested their hands and what objects they have picked up. Then they touch other surfaces. When you touch your face (especially your eyes, nose, or mouth) after your hands have picked up harmful germs, you introduce these pathogens to the very areas they need to spread infection. Continued exposure to harmful germs increases your likelihood of getting sick. So be careful of what you touch. In addition, wash your hands several times a day with soap and warm water in order to limit the amount of germs on your hands. Use soap on the backs of your hands and between your fingers. Also spend time cleaning under your nails because this is where huge amounts of bacteria can get trapped.
If you are aware of what your hands come into contact with, and take a little extra time to keep your hands clean, your immune system won’t have to work as hard to keep you healthy.