COVID-19: Coronavirus Preventive Tips for Disinfecting & Sanitizing Surfaces

Coronavirus is out and about changing the world we have always known. The struggle to keep the rising cases of COVID-19 pandemic in check is faced by people across the globe. While travelling within the country is restricted, travelling abroad is still not allowed. Even the way we work professionally has also witnessed a major change as most people are working from home for months now. The list on how COVID-19 has changed our lives can go on and on but the only thing that remains constant is the coronavirus. This calls for everyone to take necessary measures to keep the virus at bay and get covered under a corona insurance policy.

Precautionary Measures to Stay Safe from COVID-19

The coronavirus can spread easily if a healthy person comes in contact with the respiratory droplets of a COVID positive person. Therefore, everyone needs to follow certain preventive measures to avoid contracting COVID-19 disease. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and other health organisations have laid out multiple guidelines to help people in staying safe from coronavirus. Some of these essential precautionary measures include:

• Wear a mask every time you step out of the house
• Wash your hands regularly from soap and water
• Use an alcohol-based sanitizer when hands cannot be washed
• Maintain at least 1 metre of distance from other people
• Avoid touching your mouth, eyes or nose without cleaning/ sanitizing your hands
• Build your immunity by eating healthy food
• Care for your respiratory disease to prevent contracting the disease
• Follow the local rules and regulations laid out by the government, municipal body or your Resident Welfare Association (RWA)

Moreover, it is advised to buy a corona insurance policy that covers any sudden medical expenditure resulting out of contracting the COVID-19 disease. Most corona insurance policies not only cover the cost of hospitalization due to COVID-19 but also the expenses incurred on taking a COVID-19 diagnostic test.

Transmission of Coronavirus Through Different Surfaces

As per the Centre for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), there is a probability of a healthy person contracting COVID-19 by touching an object, such as a courier package, that has coronavirus on it and then touching his/ her own face. However, the CDC also states that the probability of catching the virus from a contaminated surface is low. Nonetheless, it is always better to take precautions. Hence, you should make sure to keep yourself as well as the area around you clean, especially your home and workstation.

How Long Can Coronavirus Survive on Different Surfaces?

Researchers across the world have found that coronavirus can survive on surfaces for 4 hours to 7 days depending on the surface. Take a look at the survivability of coronavirus on different surfaces:

• Copper - Up to 4 hours (Eg: coins, utensils, etc.)
• Cardboard - Up to 24 hours (Eg: courier shipping boxes, food packaging boxes, etc.)
• Wood - Up to 2 days (Eg: Furniture, tabletops, etc.)
• Plastic - 3 to 7 days (Eg: light switches, TV/ AC remote, water bottles, debit cards, laptop, etc.)
• Stainless Steel - 3 to 7 days (Eg: doorknobs, keys, refrigerator, cutlery, etc.)
• Glass - Up to 4 days (Eg: drinkware, phone/ computer screens, mirrors, window, etc.)
• Clothes - Up to 4 days
• Paper - Up to 5 days (Eg: books, money, tissue, letter, toilet paper, etc.)

Preventive Tips for Disinfecting and Sanitizing Surfaces

Almost everyone is aware of the essential coronavirus precautionary measures to take to stay safe. In fact, several people have already insured their entire family under corona insurance. However, a lot of people are still not clear of the correct way to sanitize or disinfect different kinds of surfaces or things. Here are some tips to disinfect different objects and surfaces against coronavirus. Take a look:

Frequently Clean All High-Touch Surfaces

High-touch surfaces refer to the objects or items that you and your family members touch frequently during your daily activities. They may include doorknobs, light switches, tables & desks, handheld electronics (phones, tablets), countertops, computer/ laptop keyword, handles of appliances (oven & refrigerator), spectacles, toilets, faucets & sinks, etc. Such objects and surfaces must be clean regularly with a disinfectant to kill any trace of coronavirus.

Use Simple Household Cleaning Products to Disinfectant Surfaces/ Objects

Most objects and surfaces can be cleaned using simple household cleaning products that you use on daily. One of the simplest ways to disinfect a surface is by cleaning it with a mixture of soap and water. Besides, WHO also recommends using sodium hypochlorite (chlorine) with 0.1% concentration or diluted household bleach solution to kill coronavirus on surfaces. Disinfectants with 70-90% alcohol content can also be used to disinfect surfaces. While cleaning electronics, use manufacturer’s guidelines or use disinfectant spray or wipes with at least 70% alcohol content. Clothes can be cleaned with regular detergent powder/ liquid.

Wear Disposable Gloves to Clean Surfaces

While cleaning or disinfecting surfaces against coronavirus, always remember to wear a pair of disposable gloves. After each use, these gloves should be discarded in a covered dustbin. In case you are using reusable gloves, keep those gloves exclusively for disinfecting surfaces against coronavirus and don’t use them for anything else. Also, don’t forget to clean your hands after removing the gloves.

Avoid Using Disinfectant Sprays in Indoors

The WHO does not recommend using disinfectant sprays to kill coronavirus on indoor surfaces. Instead, surfaces can be cleaned using a wipe or cloth which was soaked in disinfectant. Moreover, all disinfectant solutions should be stored in an opaque container with no direct sunlight reaching it.

Follow All Protection Measures While Using Disinfectants

To ensure the safety and well-being of yourself and the people around you, follow the protection measures given below while using disinfectants:

• Wash your hands after using a cloth or wipe soaked in disinfectant
• Keep children, elderly, pets and other people away while disinfecting unless the odour evaporates
• Open doors, windows or use fans for ventilation.
• Step away from the disinfectant if the odour becomes very strong
• Do not mix different disinfectants, such as ammonia and bleach, as their mixture can cause respiratory issues and release gases that can be fatal

How to Prepare Diluted Bleach Solution at Home to Kill Coronavirus?

To make a diluted bleach solution at home to clean surfaces, follow one of the following procedure:

• Mix 4 tablespoons of bleach with one litre of water
• Mix one-third cup or 5 tablespoons of bleach with 4 cups of water

In a Nutshell

Whether you believe it or not, COVID-19 pandemic is here to stay unless a vaccination to combat the coronavirus is developed. Given the uncertainty on when the vaccine will be accessible to the general public, the only way to stay safe and away from COVID-19 is to follow the preventive measures and stay covered under a corona insurance policy. If you follow these coronavirus preventive tips, you will effectively prevent COVID-19 from entering your house.