SIX ITEMS AND PLACES WITH THE MOST GERMS

 In our every day life, most of places we go to or the things that we touch or come in contact with are packed full with micro organisms causing a range of ill-health conditions from mild to severe or even death.
While the purpose of this post is not to scare, it is of course intended to emphasis simple common cleanliness practices to avoid ill health and make known to us other seemingly germ-free items or environments which are actually breeding grounds to harmful bacteria.

CELL PHONES: 

These seemingly indispensable companions for a lot of people can actually be the reason for their recent bout with sore throat or cold.
As sleek and useful as your cell phones are they are actually dirtier than a toilet seat because most people give no thought to where not to use the 'ever useful' gadget!
Researches have shown that the cellphone is ten times as dirty as the toilet seat of your office convenience because it picks up bacteria everywhere its carrier goes- from public transport to dinner table, toilet etc.
Suggested practices to keep your cell phones clean include keeping away from bathrooms, cleaning regularly with a micro-fibre cloth or soft cloth in water\alcohol solution (60% / 40% respectively) and washing the hands regularly.

RESTAURANT MENU:



The next time you feel like eating out in a fine restaurant, you should know that you might not only be tipping the waiter out of a feeling of good service and a sumptuous experience but for a handful of germs served as well. This is because the Restaurant menu is one item that is rarely cleaned and repeated handling by many previous users would have left a trove of germs on the item. For a safe dining experience,the rule is to wash the hands before your order is eaten especially if its a finger food.

SOAP PUMPS/DISPENSER:


It is a fact that all soaps have germs killing properties. But as unbelievable as it may sound, the dispenser or pumps (especially in public places)which house this germ-killing agents also harbor germs. The logical explanation for this is that most contaminated hands before being washed handle the dispenser or pumps first. So avoid touching these after washing hands or use automatic or touch-free soap dispenser.

SHOPPING CART :
  
 The shopping cart  has been tagged one of the dirtiest things by researchers due to frequent contamination from raw food. Grocery stores experience significant human traffic and successive patrons use the carts repeatedly pushing by the handles in the process leaving grime, oil, dead cells on them.
Some stores provide wipes beside cart stand with which people can wipe the handles and thus prevent germ transfer. Where this is absent, it is advisable to  wrap handle with a clean handkerchief or wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after use.
NURSERY PLAY GROUND:

 

Play ground which serves as a place of fun and excitement for children can also be a place parents dread to have them be because may kids have caught bugs from the playground.
Children owing to their oral nature, may put fingers or the playground equipment( which multitudes have handled) in their mouth while playing on the ground.
Children should be taught the importance of washing the hands regularly and correctly

ATM :



While the ubiquitous nature of this machine has really helped in giving quick access to one's fund on the go, especially in emergency situations, the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) has however been fingered as a quick source for dispensing germs also. As they are seldom cleaned and most are mounted outside in open space for easy reach by different customers, exposure to the elements and residues left behind from multitude punching buttons and screen make the ATM a breeding ground for colonies of harmful bacteria.
It is advisable to wash the hands with soap and water or use a sanitizer after operating the ATM.