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How to clean and disinfect

1. Develop Your Plan

DETERMINE WHAT NEEDS TO BE CLEANED.
Areas unoccupied for 7 or more days need only routine cleaning. Maintain existing cleaning practices for outdoor areas.

DETERMINE HOW AREAS WILL BE DISINFECTED.
Consider the type of surface and how often the surface is touched. Prioritize disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.

CONSIDER THE RESOURCES AND EQUIPMENT NEEDED.
Keep in mind the availability of cleaning products and personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate for cleaners and disinfectants.

2. Implement

CLEAN VISIBLY DIRTY SURFACES WITH SOAP AND WATER prior to disinfection.

USE THE APPROPRIATE CLEANING OR DISINFECTANT PRODUCT.
Use an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved disinfectant against COVID-19 and read the label to make sure it meets your needs.

ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS ON THE LABEL.
The label will include safety information and application instructions. Keep disinfectants out of the reach of children.

3. Maintain and Revise

CONTINUE ROUTINE CLEANING AND DISINFECTION.
Continue or revise your plan based on appropriate disinfectant and PPE availability. Dirty surfaces should be cleaned with soap and water prior to disinfection. Routinely disinfect frequently touched surfaces at least daily.

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Hospital Fumigation – Is fumigation safe for use in healthcare buildings?

The number of cases of health-care associated infections (HAIs) within hospitals all over Africa is incredibly inflated compared to statistics from elsewhere in the world. For this reason there have been many measures implemented within hospitals that can help health-care workers ensure that their immediate environments are clean enough. A clean health-care environment means that patients are less likely to fall ill.

One way in which African clinics and hospitals can remain free of bacteria and germs is through fumigation. Fumigation assists in the cleaning of all working surfaces within hospitals, removing difficult-to-exterminate bacteria that are found all over health-care premises. Locations from which germs can multiply and spread includes medical tools, curtains, gloves, toilets, faucets, door handles, beds, hand railings and many other fittings and hospital items.

Hospital fumigation is useful in this regard because of the following benefits:

  • Hospital fumigation can reach all spaces within the building, including those hard-to-reach locations within basements, roofs and the like.
  • Hospital fumigation eliminates a host of bacteria that are otherwise unaffected by conventional means and methods of cleaning.
  • Hospital fumigation may seem disruptive to hospital and clinic schedules, but the effects are long-lasting, ensuring a substantial drop in the number of bacteria colonies.
  • Hospital fumigation, when done by an experienced contractor, can be done quickly and economically.

There has been concern over the use of hospital fumigation. With case studies mentioning escaped fumigants intoxicating both hospital staff and patients causing illness, there is no chance of this happening if hospital fumigation is done properly by a team of fumigation specialists.

Hospital fumigation uses the chemicals chlorine dioxide and hydrogen peroxide vapour to clear the building’s interior of all bacteria and germs. With the correct safety measures, this fumigation is harmless and will work effectively.

For hospital fumigation in Tanzania make sure you contact Huan Associates Limited today!

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Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes

This guidance is intended for all Americans, whether you own a business, run a school, or want to ensure the cleanliness and safety of your home. Opening America requires all of us to move forward together by practicing social distancing and other daily habits to reduce our risk of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19. Opening the country also strongly relies on public health strategies, including increased testing of people for the virus, social distancing, isolation, and keeping track of how someone infected might have infected other people. This plan is part of the larger United States Government plan external icon and focuses on cleaning and disinfecting public spaces, workplaces, businesses, schools, and can also be applied to your home.

Cleaning and disinfecting public spaces including your workplace, school, home, and business will require you to:

  • Develop your plan
  • Implement your plan
  • Maintain and revise your plan

Reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 by cleaning and disinfection is an important part of opening public spaces that will require careful planning. Every American has been called upon to slow the spread of the virus through social distancing and prevention hygiene, such as frequently washing your hands and wearing masks. Everyone also has a role in making sure our communities are as safe as possible to open and remain open.

The virus that causes COVID-19 can be killed if you use the right products. EPA has compiled a list of disinfectant products that can be used against COVID-19, including ready-to-use sprays, concentrates, and wipes. Each product has been shown to be effective against viruses that are harder to kill than viruses like the one that causes COVID-19.

This document provides a general framework for cleaning and disinfection practices. The framework is based on doing the following:

  1. Normal routine cleaning with soap and water will decrease how much of the virus is on surfaces and objects, which reduces the risk of exposure.
  2. Disinfection using EPA List N: Disinfectants for Coronavirus (COVID-19)external icon can also help reduce the risk.  Frequent disinfection of surfaces and objects touched by multiple people is important.
  3. If products on EPA List N: Disinfectants for Coronavirus (COVID-19)external icon are not available, bleach solutions can be used if appropriate for the surface and will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.
    • Most household bleach contains 5%–9% sodium hypochlorite. Do not use a bleach product if the percentage is not in this range or is not specified, such as some types of laundry bleach or splash-less bleach as these are not appropriate for disinfection.
    • Follow the directions on the bleach bottle for preparing a diluted bleach solution. If your bottle does not have directions, you can make a bleach solution for disinfecting by mixing:
      • 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) of bleach per gallon of room temperature water OR
      • 4 teaspoons of bleach per quart of room temperature water
    • Follow the manufacturer’s application instructions for the surface. If instructions are not available, leave the diluted bleach solution on the surface for at least 1 minute before removing or wiping. This is known as the “contact time” for disinfection. The surface should remain visibly wet during the contact time.
    • Ensure proper ventilation during and after application (for example, open windows).
    • Never mix household bleach (or any disinfectants) with any other cleaners or disinfectants. This can cause vapors that may be very dangerous to breathe in.
    • Make a new diluted bleach solution daily. Bleach solutions will not be as effective after being mixed with water for over 24 hours.

Use chemical disinfectants safely! Always read and follow the directions on the label of cleaning and disinfection products to ensure safe and effective use.

  • Wear gloves and consider glasses or goggles for potential splash hazards to eyes
  • Ensure adequate ventilation (for example, open windows)
  • Use only the amount recommended on the label
  • Use water at room temperature for dilution (unless stated otherwise on the label)
  • Label diluted cleaning solutions
  • Store and use chemicals out of the reach of children and pets
  • Do not mix products or chemicals
  • Do not eat, drink, breathe, or inject cleaning and disinfection products into your body or apply directly to your skin as they can cause serious harm
  • Do not wipe or bathe pets with any cleaning and disinfection products.

See EPA’s Six Steps for Safe and Effective Disinfectant Use external icon.

Special considerations should be made for people with asthma. Some cleaning and disinfection products can trigger asthma. Learn more about reducing your chance of an asthma attack while disinfecting to prevent COVID-19.

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