In 2015, a viral photo of bacteria that grew from a child’s handprint illustrated the type of germs we’re all carrying around. But now we’re living during a global pandemic, and we have a heightened awareness of cleanliness, handwashing, and disinfecting to stop the spread of COVID-19. As a result, children have become more adept at washing their hands, physically distancing, and masking up when appropriate. But is that all the protection children need?
As a business owner, you may have children coming in and out of your business every day. Perhaps you own a daycare facility, a gym, a school, or teach classes that cater to children. Even most retail shops see plenty of younger patrons each day!
The majority of businesses will eventually have at least some contact with children. So, what can you do to keep kids safe from the germs and bacteria on your businesses’ surfaces? Here are a few practices we recommend.
- Clean, then disinfect. We all know that cleaning removes dirt and grime, but it doesn’t kill the bacteria on the surface. That’s what disinfectant does. Ensure that your cleaning regime includes disinfecting protocols, especially for high-touch areas like door handles, railings, and elevator buttons.
- Set up handwashing stations. The past two years have turned children into great little hand washers. They’ve learned the importance of consistent handwashing and sanitizing (imagine what it would be like to compare the bacteria growth of a child in 2022 to the viral 2015 child hand bacteria photo). If you set up sanitizing stations, your young customers will use them!
- Remove toys and shared items. Many businesses like to have toys or small playrooms for young customers. Unfortunately, these areas and toys may be spreading germs, bacteria, and viruses. For now, it’s probably best to remove shared items or to disinfect them several times throughout the day.
The last practice we recommend is the most important: a Microshield 360 treatment. The Microshield 360 solution is sprayed using electrostatic technology to ensure equal distribution. Once the solution comes into contact with a surface), it forms an antimicrobial barrier that prevents the growth of bacteria and kills germs on site. That means if a surface is touched by a dirty little hand, the bacteria left on the surface won’t grow like it did in that 2015 viral photo. Instead, it dies with contact. The best part about this treatment is the results last for one year, and you can clean the treated surfaces with water!
Kids today are living through unprecedented times and learning more about cleanliness and hygiene than any other generation before, but they are still kids. Unfortunately, they will still spread germs, dirt, and bacteria wherever they go, including your business. With a bit of extra precaution and care, you can keep your youngest customers safe and healthy, even during a pandemic!
