Essential School Cleaning Tips To Help Slow The Spread Of Flu
Influenza, also known as “the flu,” is a highly contagious respiratory illness and a common cause of GP visits and hospitalizations every year in Australia. Complications from the flu cause many deaths annually. The colder months, from April to October, are typically known as the flu season. During this period, people need to be extra careful and do everything in their power to slow the spread of the disease. And that’s why regular school cleaning and disinfecting are so crucial, especially during the flu season.
School Cleaning Checklist To Slow The Spread Of The Flu
Schools are a breeding ground for germs such as the flu virus. Since teachers, students, and staff work near one another, the virus can spread quickly. Thankfully, a few simple steps towards cleanliness can help us reduce or slow the spread of flu in schools. Cleaning and disinfection cleaning services play a crucial role in helping to prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as the flu in schools.
The first line of defence against influenza is getting vaccinated. Other measures include covering sneezes and coughs, staying home when sick, and washing hands often.
Here, we will discuss how we can actively slow the spread of flu in schools specifically through cleaning and disinfecting.
1. Understand The Difference Between Cleaning, Sanitizing, And Disinfecting
The words cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting are often used interchangeably, but they all mean something specific. Before you start looking for school cleaning services, you must brush up on what each entails. Here’s a quick overview.
- Cleaning removes dirt, germs, and impurities from objects and surfaces. Typically, we use a combination of soap or detergent and water to clean surfaces. Remember, a simple cleaning may not kill germs. It can remove them, lower their numbers, and reduce the risk of spreading infection or disease.
- Sanitizing reduces the number of pathogens on objects or surfaces to a safe level. Sanitizing typically involves cleaning and disinfecting objects and surfaces to lower the spread of germs.
- Disinfection kills germs on objects and surfaces. Disinfecting mainly involves using chemicals that kill harmful pathogens. Disinfecting does not necessarily clean dirty objects or surfaces or remove germs. That is why it is important to disinfect objects and surfaces after you have cleaned them.
When it comes to cleaning schools to prevent or slow the spread of the flu, professional cleaners use a combination of cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting.
2. Clean And Disinfect The Major Touchpoints
Touch points are objects or surfaces that people most frequently touch. Examples of high touch points include door handles, light switches, clock-in/out machines, toilet flush, taps, touch screens, and much more. Regularly cleaning and disinfecting the major touch points is a critical part of the school cleaning checklist.
That means desks, doorknobs, countertops, hands-on learning items, computer keyboards, phones, faucet handles, and toys need to be cleaned, disinfected, and sanitized every day during the flu season. You should also remember to immediately clean objects and surfaces that are visibly dirty.
If objects or surfaces are soiled with blood or body fluids, use gloves, and other protective gear when cleaning.
3. Adhere To A Routine Cleaning Schedule
When it comes to school cleaning, it is important to match the cleaning and disinfection activities to the type of pathogens you want to kill or remove. Studies have shown that the flu virus can live on surfaces for up to 48 hours after being deposited. During this time, the virus can potentially infect others who come in contact with the surface.
While it is not possible or ideal to close down schools to stop or slow the spread of the flu, school administration can take some simple steps to ensure the safety of students and staff. Since flu viruses are relatively fragile, regular cleaning and disinfecting can effectively reduce the spread of the disease.
The best idea is to hire a commercial cleaning company that provides school cleaning services. Having professional cleaners stick to routine cleaning and disinfecting can produce the desired outcome.
4. Follow The Correct Method For Cleaning And Disinfecting
Follow the directions written on the labels of disinfectants and cleaning products. You can clean surfaces with general household cleaners to remove germs, but you need to use a disinfectant to kill germs. Make sure to use EPA (Environmental Protection Authority) approved cleaning products and disinfectants only. These products are the most effective against the flu virus.
Objects and surfaces that are not visibly dirty can be disinfected to remove germs. Make sure to read the product label to use the disinfectant in the right amount and the right way. Once you spray or apply disinfectant on a surface or object, leave it on for 3 to 5 minutes for it to take effect. Wiping or rinsing the disinfectant immediately will not kill germs.
5. Hire Professional Cleaners For The Job
While many schools hire in-house janitorial staff to keep up with regular cleaning, not all schools can afford to do that. Smaller schools with lesser budgets can outsource the necessary cleaning and disinfection responsibility. Many commercial cleaning companies provide school cleaning services. Hiring such a service will not only help you stick to a cleaning and disinfecting schedule, but it will also help to keep school cleaning cost low in the long run.
These are the most important tips to keep in mind when cleaning and disinfecting to slow the spread of the flu.
