Places Where You Need To Watch Out For Germs

Knowing where germs live and practicing good hand hygiene can help families stay healthy. Germs lurk in more places than most people realize, just waiting to be touched. When soap and water are unavailable, an instant hand sanitizer such as Purell will suffice.

They're waiting for you at the ATM and on your computer keyboard at work. When you push a shopping cart at the store, they secretly attach themselves to your hands. When your children play on playground equipment, the pests will attach themselves to their hands.

Germs lurk in more places than most people realize, just waiting to be touched so they can hitch a ride on people's hands.

"Most people think they know where germs are, but I think they'd be surprised to learn about the places or things where they can pick up germs that could make them sick," said Dr. Charles Gerba, an Environmental Microbiology professor at the University of Arizona.

Where Germs Congregate

According to Dr. Gerba, many people are aware that germs exist in bathrooms, but they may be unaware that the computer keyboard at work or the kitchen sponge can be even dirtier than a toilet seat. Germs can be found everywhere, including the workplace, home, and school, as well as cars, trains, and planes. Even while exercising, playing, shopping, going to the movies, attending sporting events, and commuting, people come into contact with germs and may be unaware of it.

A Straightforward Solution

Because many germs are spread through hand contact, practicing good hygiene every day is a solution. When soap and water are unavailable, an instant hand sanitizer such as Purell will suffice. This alcohol-based hand sanitizer eliminates 99.99% of the germs that can cause illness.

The following are among the "99 Places Where Germs are Likely to Lurk":

Elevator buttons, phones, and shared ink pens at work

Handles for exercise machines and mats are available at the gym.

Subway poles and handles, as well as gas pump nozzles, must be avoided while traveling.

Toys and books shared at school, cafeteria trays, and playground equipment

Pet toys, light switches, and thermostats at home

When it comes to shopping-escalator handrails and shopping basket handles.

Knowing where germs live and practicing good hand hygiene can help families stay healthy.