Did you know that the COVID-19 virus can survive for long periods of time on surfaces within your very own home?
A virologist from the US National Institutes of Health US National Institutes of Health has determined that the virus is able to survive in droplets for up to 24 hours on cardboard, and up to three days on plastic and stainless-steel surfaces.
The findings even suggest that the virus may last just as long on door handles, plastic-coated or laminated worktops, and other hard surfaces within your property. Surprisingly, copper surfaces tend to kill the virus in just four hours.
As such we have compiled a list of helpful tips on how you can safeguard your home from the viral outbreak.
However, it is important to note that the COVID-19 is still a new strain of the coronavirus which is not yet fully understood. As such, it is essential to get advice and news from reputable, credible sources, with the main outlets being the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Tips for Keeping Your Home Virus-Free
1. Limit your trips outside
It cannot be stressed enough that the best way to protect your household from being exposed to the COVID-19 virus is to strictly abide by the movement control order (MCO) imposed by the government.
That means staying at home whenever possible and only leaving the house for essential tasks like buying groceries. It is also as simple as cleaning your hands after collecting delivered food. You also need to avoid touching your face as much as possible.
2. Practice personal hygiene
The Ministry of Health (MOH) has a step-by-step guide that you should follow after grocery shopping. It includes safely discarding your mask, washing your clothes and taking a shower.
Also, make hand sanitizer, soap, tissues and wastebaskets easily accessible around the property.
While these tips may be time-consuming, it can help you save money. After all, if a member of your household does get sick with COVID-19, you would need to hire professional disinfection services, which can vary in prices depending on the size of your property.
3. Do routine cleaning
According to the CDC, you should clean frequently touched surfaces such as tables, doorknobs, and light switches using ordinary household cleaners and EPA-registered disinfectants.
Note that cleaning and disinfecting are not the same. Cleaning refers to the removal of germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces. While cleaning does not kill germs, removing them still helps lower the risk of spreading infection.
Disinfecting, on the other hand, refers to using chemicals, such as EPA-registered disinfectants to kill germs, bacteria, or viruses on surfaces. It’s best to disinfect after cleaning.
Even if you don’t have access to EPA-registered disinfectants, routine cleaning and proper hand washing and bathing can reduce your risk of being infected.
4. Share the responsibility
If you are staying with your family, have your spouse and children chip in when cleaning the house, seeing that almost everyone is confined in their homes throughout the duration of the MCO.
In case you own rental property, it is essential to keep in touch with your tenants and ensure that they practise these safety measures as well. A property that has a track record of infected residents may possibly affect the valuation of the property itself, and sometimes it is best to avoid taking those chances in the first place.
It is also your duty to not just be well educated and well-prepared for the virus itself, but also for you to educate others in having the same objectives as well.
By practising these simple safety measures, you can keep your home safe from COVID-19. Do stay at home, stay safe and stay diligent.
Through Ohmyhome, you can get a comprehensive view of all the great property listings near you, or anywhere of your choosing. We only allow one listing per property on our platform, so you can be sure that you are getting the best deal on the market.
Check out our genuine listings! Or call +6016-299 1366.
