Tips for Disinfecting and Protecting Family and Loved Ones
As APRNs, many are on the frontlines of the fight against this global pandemic. While there has been much talk about your ability to stay safe while at work with personal protective equipment, it is also important that you keep your family safe once you are back at home.
While the majority of coronavirus cases have been relatively mild, it can be deadly, particularly for the elderly or those who have underlying health conditions. Healthy people who need to leave the house for their jobs must take steps to help protect any at-risk family members who are sheltering in place at home.
There are a few things that are essential to stopping the coronavirus from entering your home. Most importantly, literally stop it at your front door. It is vital that you have a place near your home’s entrance where you are able to remove your clothing and shoes before entering the main living area of your house.
Here are a few more tips to help keep your home free from the coronavirus and your loved ones safe.
- Place clothes in a hamper lined with a garbage bag just inside the home’s entrance and wash (on hot or warm) as soon as you are able.
- Leave shoes outside or in the garage, if possible. If they must come in the house, also place them in a garbage bag until you need to wear them again.
- Shower immediately upon returning home from work.
- Clean keys, cell phones and other items you’ve been carrying with disinfecting wipes.
- Disinfect door handles and light switches near the entrance.
- Take your temperature twice a day — once before work and again once home for the day — in order to monitor for any slight fevers.