Here’s how The Maids can help to minimize the spread of flu in your home

By Bill Yurgen

“Spend at least one Mother’s Day with your respective mothers before you decide on marriage. If a man gives his mother a gift certificate for a flu shot, dump him.” —Erma Bombeck

Just a month-and-a-half old, 2018 has already become a year for records to be broken.

The stock market has experienced record gains and losses. A record number of women are running for government office, and you’ll be interested to know that we Northeast Ohioans aren’t the only ones experiencing a particularly cold winter. Frigid temperatures are setting record lows all across the U.S. and Canada this year.

H3N2
Unfortunately, one record being logged early this year is the record number of people being hospitalized locally and across the country as they battle the effects of the deadly H3N2 influenza.

Much has been written about how to minimize your risk of catching the virus outside the home, but the good folks over at The Maids have methods of their own and some tips for you on how to minimize the flu virus being passed around inside your home.

For The Maids, the health and welfare of its employees and customers is always a top priority. The 22-Step Healthy Touch Deep Cleaning System was created to provide you and your family with the healthiest living environment possible. Reducing germs and bacteria inside your home takes on particular importance this time of year.

How The Maids Attacks the Flu Virus Where You Live

The Maids would like to share with you some of the ways it’s working each day to attain a healthy environment for you and its teams:

• All microfiber cleaning cloths, brushes, toilet brushes and scrub tools are switched out between homes, and cleaned and disinfected at The Maids’ facilities before reuse.
• The Maids’ vacuums and cleaning buckets are disinfected after each use
• Teams are provided with and required to use antibacterial hand sanitizer between homes. Also, all interior surfaces of the teams’ cars are disinfected each evening.
• In your home, The Maids disinfects light switches, doorknobs, telephones and all bathroom surfaces with its EPA registered disinfectant.
• This season, The Maids has been holding refresher training meetings on disinfecting techniques, spread of virus and bacteria, and cold/flu prevention for all of its team members and managers. Managers are on the lookout for any employees displaying flu-like symptoms, and those employees are sent home.

What You Can Do
Keep in mind, many cold and flu viruses can live on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours, so between visits, or if someone in your home has flu symptoms, The Maids recommends you follow these smart precautions:

• Wash hands often using soap and water. Make an effort not to touch your mouth, eyes or nose without first washing your hands.
• Disinfect regularly using a household disinfectant on any surfaces that are commonly touched, like door knobs, appliance handles, remote controls, light switches, phones and facial tissue box covers. Follow proper usage instructions on product labels. Use a disinfecting cleaner on toilet handles and seats, faucets, showers, tubs and sinks.
• Make sure to wash items like towels and bedding in hot water with detergent. If someone has been sick in the home, be sure not to share these items until they are thoroughly cleaned
• If multiple toothbrushes are kept in a common container, either put them through the dishwasher or purchase new ones

Please Let Them Know
If someone is sick or has been sick in your home, please notify The Maids’ office in advance of your regularly scheduled service so its team members can voluntarily wear appropriate safety apparel.

They care about you and your family’s health, so they want to work with you to make your home as healthy and clean as it can be this cold and flu season.

To discuss how The Maids can make your home cleaner and healthier, and your life a little less complicated, you can phone 440-735-6243 or 330-220-0098. To learn more, visit TheMaidsNortheastOhio.com.