When flu season rolls around, you can be exposed to many germs in the workplace. Germs can attach themselves to tables, office equipment, door handles and other surfaces, putting you and other staff members at risk of illness and therefore taking sick days from work.

 

Here are some things you can do to help prevent getting sick with the flu this season:

 

Washing hands

This is easily one of the best ways to prevent getting sick year-round. Especially in the winter months when viruses can remain active longer due to colder temperatures. Always make sure to wash your hands:

 

• Regularly throughout the day with warm water and soap and dry with disposable towels.
• After using the bathroom.
• After coming into contact with any bodily fluid.

 

Cough etiquette

We’ve all had that tickle in our throat that we can’t seem to get rid of. But here are some proper techniques when you cough that can help alleviate the spread of germs to others throughout the office.

 

• Cover your mouth with a tissue when you’re coughing, if possible.
• Dispose of tissues immediately in a nearby wastebasket.
• Cover your mouth with the crook of your arm when you don’t have access to a tissue.
• Wash your hands with soap and water immediately after coughing.

 

Keep surroundings clean

Whether using a commercial cleaning company like N&A Commercial Cleaning or having your office employees maintain their workspaces, frequently touched items and surfaces like keyboards, doorknobs and phones should be disinfected regularly.

 

• Clean and disinfect daily. Wipe down high-touch surfaces with disinfectant wipes or low-level disinfectant.
• Stock up on supplies. Make sure your office has an adequate amount of tissues, paper towels, soap, hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes.
• Allow sick employees to go home before they have an opportunity to infect the staff around them.

 

Along with having staff take an active role in keeping the office clean throughout the day, a professional janitorial crew can help reduce contaminants, germs, and infections from lurking in your office. Call the experts at N&A Commercial Cleaning if you need help keeping cold and flu symptoms to a minimum in your workplace.