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This device turns air into pure drinking water, providing 10 liters of fresh mineral water each day

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What’s funny about the idea of progress is that it’s much more layered than we think. Sure, 30 years from now, we will have sent humans to Mars… but 30 years from now most cities will even be dealing with extreme climate change, polluted air, and scarcity of resources like running water. Sounds odd when you look at the whole picture, right? Well, we’re living in a world that’s on a path to change, and it may be prudent to stop taking things like drinking water for granted.

Meet Kara Pure, a water dispenser that basically turns air into drinking water. Designed by Cody Soodeen, Kara Pure wasn’t created in a void — Soodeen grew up in a town where the drinking water was contaminated by a strain of bacteria that had health implications for the people who consumed it. Unfit drinking water isn’t particularly rare nowadays, with groundwater tables either being infected/polluted, or being entirely depleted due to overconsumption and a lack of accounting for climate change. While Kara Pure is clearly built keeping a pretty inevitable future in mind, it’s important that Soodeen and other people like him perfect the technology now, rather than later.

Designer: Cody Soodeen

Click Here to Buy Now: $1229 $2399 (48% off). Hurry, only 1 left! Raised over $150,000.

Kara Pure extracts water from atmospheric moisture, turning it into mineral-rich alkaline drinking water that hydrates and cleanses toxins within the body. The device, which looks like a monolithic silver tower, can dispense up to 10 liters of water (2.5 gallons) each day, while also enriching it with 7 rare natural minerals and bringing it up to a pH of 9.2+. As a by-product, it also dehumidifies and purifies air, serving multiple purposes at the same time so you have fresh water to drink AND fresh air to breathe every single day.

It’s also a dehumidier.

Kara Pure’s underlying technology is perhaps its biggest innovation. Soodeen points out that other water-capture devices in its category use refrigerants to condense atmospheric moisture and turn water vapor into droplets of water – a process that’s energy-intensive, noisy, and bad for the environment. Kara Pure, on the other hand, uses a desiccant that absorbs water from the air (sort of like volcanic rock or silica gel). The air passes through this desiccant and the water is extracted and stored in Kara Pure’s storage tank.

The water then goes through a multi-stage purification system where it’s sterilized using UV light and is mineralized with Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Lithium, Selenium, Strontium, and Metasilicic Acid, before being passed through an ionizer that alkalizes the water and a carbon filter that removes any final impurities before dispensing clean, clear drinking water that’s alkaline in nature, offering a host of health benefits. Kara Pure’s water-capture process, unlike conventional dehumidifiers and water-capture devices, doesn’t use refrigerants or chemicals that are harmful to the environment, and Kara Pure operates noise-free, providing 10 liters of water through this process every single day.

The monolithic device has an industrial aesthetic to it that combines high-end engineering with minimalist design – well within the domain of companies like Apple and Dyson. The device’s clean exteriors almost reinforce the idea of purity, and the fact that it works without generating the all-too-common whirr that other appliances like refrigerators make, just elevates its overall experience. Kara Pure’s UI is ridiculously simple too. It doesn’t really complicate the process by telling you what the machine is doing or offering you a whole variety of options to choose from. There’s just one single button that, seemingly like magic, dispenses fresh water into Kara Pure’s cavity that’s large enough for a glass, bottle, or even a carafe or jug. All Kara Pure really requires is a power source, and the relatively large contraption can easily be shifted between rooms too, without worrying about noise, water inlets, outlets, or any of the other points of failure that other similar products have today.

Kara Pure literally turns air into water – a feat that’s worth marveling just on its own. Soodeen mentions that Kara Pure is ideal for areas that don’t have access to the purest of drinking water. The fact that Kara Pure works without relying on groundwater means that it can effectively work practically anywhere on earth and all it really needs is a periodic $100 filter replacement every year.

Click Here to Buy Now: $1229 $2399 (48% off). Hurry, only 1 left! Raised over $150,000.

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If You’re Not Cancelling Christmas, Do This to Stay Safe – Fatherly

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Omicron currently accounts for almost three-quarters of all new COVID cases in the U.S., an approximately six-fold increase in its share of new infections in just a week. Experts are now confident that Omicron will be the cause of a new COVID surge.  The new variant is extremely transmissible — possibly the fastest-spreading modern-day virus ever. It also seems partially capable of evading vaccine- and infection-induced immunity.

Experts predict Omicron cases are likely to spike between Christmas and New Year, peaking around mid-January. And although early reports suggest Omicron causes milder symptoms, Anthony Santella, professor of health administration and policy and University COVID-19 Coordinator at the University of New Haven in Connecticut, advises not to be swayed by that. “We don’t yet know the long-term impacts of COVID…so I don’t want it, even if it’s mild,” he says.

With all that in mind, the most surefire way to avoid Omicron this holiday season is by locking your doors and having a cozy Christmas with your immediate family only. But with the pressures of in-laws, expectations of the kids, and nearly two years’ worth of stress and cancelled plans on your shoulders, that’s not going to happen for some families. If you’re one of them, this is how you can mitigate COVID risk during holiday celebrations.

7 Ways to Reduce COVID Risk This Holiday Season

Most experts aren’t actually recommending that you cancel your holiday plans at this point, but rather, to layer risk mitigation techniques. “I’m not saying it’s best to cancel, but I’m saying it’s best to use the tools in the public health toolbox…in the best mix that fits that unique individual needs of you, your family, and the people you celebrate with,” Santella says.

Each preventative measure you add increases your odds of staying safe from COVID this Christmas. You don’t need to incorporate all seven into your plan, but the more you do, the safer you’ll be. One alone isn’t going to cut it.

Get Tested: If you can find a rapid test, take it immediately before attending a gathering. Encourage others at the event to get tested before showing up too. If you’re hosting, consider making it a requirement. Remember, tests provide a snapshot of whether you’re likely to be infectious at the moment you take them. So if you’re visiting family for multiple days, testing multiple times over the course of your stay is best.

Wear a Mask: Sure, it’s awkward to wear a mask at a party. But if you’re meeting up with people indoors, a mask makes it safer. One recent study even found that the incidence of new COVID cases is cut by 53 percent when people wear masks. Level up your mask from cloth or double mask for added protection, especially when in public.

Stay Outside: An outdoor Christmas party probably isn’t going to be possible in most of the country. But if winter in your location is on the warmer side, take the party outdoors to reduce transmission risk. It’s likely that less than one percent of COVID infections are due to outdoor transmission.

Ventilate: Can’t hold Christmas outside? Ventilate instead. You can buy a virus-filtering air purifier, make a DIY one yourself, or open the windows to increase ventilation. Without ventilation, the coronavirus can stay in the air for up to 16 hours, but filtering the air and getting it moving decreases risk. 

Mandate Vaccines: Make sure that everyone you meet with who is eligible is vaccinated. Ideally, they should be boosted too.

Get a Booster: “Christmas may be on Saturday, but you still have the rest of this week to get your booster,” Santella says. It probably takes about two weeks for the booster to prime the immune system to its fullest extent, but there is likely some amount of protection from a booster after just a few days. A booster multiplies antibody levels in individuals who received the Moderna vaccine by 37 times and in those who received the Pfizer vaccine by 25 times.

Check for Symptoms: If you’re feeling even just a little unwell, “Stay home. It’s not worth it,” Santella says.

When taking holiday risks, it’s important to examine your medical risk first. “Folks who are boosted yet remain high-risk because of their comorbid conditions and other health ailments really need to think twice about participating in gatherings this season,” Santella says. The same is true for any kids who are too young to be vaccinated and are immunocompromised.

As for local prevalence of Omicron, Santella cautions against getting too caught up in technicalities. “What you and I and everyone out there needs to do hasn’t changed, whether we’re talking about Delta, Omicron, or the next variant. Public health mitigation measures like being vaccinated, being boosted, wearing a mask appropriately, hand hygiene, physical distance, monitoring your signs and symptoms — those things will always be the same.” 

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Ensuring the Safety of the Home to Keep the Family Healthy

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The pandemic highlighted the importance of a safe and healthy home after the authorities issued the shelter-in-place orders. Due to this, people had to stay home to avoid catching the virus. They should only go out to shop for essentials.

The house should make the family feel safe and should not pose any health risk. Even after the situation has improved, keeping the home clean is still essential to ensure everyone stays healthy until everything goes back to normal. Here are some things that you can do to keep your home safe for your family.

Look Out for Hidden Health Hazards at Home

The first thing that you need to do is to check for unseen dangers lurking within the house. These unseen dangers can make members of the household sick. These health hazards are indoor air pollution caused by either biological pollutants or chemical pollutants.

Biological pollutants include molds, bacteria, pollen, dust mites, rodents, mosquitoes, and other pests. Dealing with these biological pollutants requires professionals to assess the situation and make recommendations on what they have to do.

You can get in touch with a mold remediation company to deal with molds. On the other hand, you should contact a reputable mosquito control company to deal with pests in the home. These professionals have the skills and equipment to deal with all types of pests that can infest the home. They can make the home safer for the family, especially the young ones.

When it comes to chemical pollutants, you will have to deal with carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, radon, and ozone. These pollutants are not easy to detect, which means you need to install special equipment to check for their presence.

Similar to biological pollutants, you should also contact professionals to deal with these pollutants. You may think about doing it yourself, but these professionals have the experience and tools to take care of these hidden health hazards to ensure your family stays safe inside your home.

Keep the Exterior and Yard Clean

Aside from these hidden health hazards, you also have to keep the house’s exterior clean. Keeping these areas clean requires fixing holes and cracks, removing standing water, and ensuring that trash is placed inside a sealed container.

This allows you to keep pests away from the house or not attract them to your home, especially if you have trees and shrubs in the yard. Trees and shrubs can serve as nesting places of pests that may consider invading your home if they find it appealing enough for them.

You should also keep the gutters and downspouts clean of debris. If the home was built before 1978, you should make sure to use safe work practices if you plan to renovate, remodel, or even repaint the structure. Cleaning the home every year is also a good idea, especially if you have small children living with you.

Making the Rooms Safe for the Family

To keep the different rooms in the home safe for the family, you should install a smoke alarm in each room. You should also test the alarms every month and replace their batteries annually. Carbon monoxide detectors are also useful near the bedrooms, and you should avoid smoking near the house.

Cleaning up clutter makes the home unappealing to pests. So, you should make sure to have a place for everything, including clothing, shoes, and toys. Testing for lead paint is essential for homes build constructed before 1978.

You may also want to replace the paint if you detect lead paint on any of the walls. But make sure to follow safe work practices when doing this.

Keep the Kitchen Safe and Clean

The kitchen is normally the place that attracts pests the most since it is where you prepare food. And during food preparation, you may end up with bits of food on the counter and the floor. These bits of food will attract pests. So, you should make sure to keep it clean to prevent this situation.

Cleaning the kitchen also reduces the risk of exposure to bacteria and allergens that may get mixed up in the food. So, you should keep your hands clean while preparing the food. You should also clean the counter and floor to make sure there are no food particles in these places. Additionally, you should make sure to store all ingredients in sealed containers to avoid attracting pests into the house.

Keeping the home clean is essential for the health and safety of the family in the middle of a pandemic.

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Duckworth, Durbin Announce Water Grants

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Published on December 23 2021 8:07 am

Last Updated on December 23 2021 8:07 am

Written by Greg Sapp

U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin have announced that an infusion of support from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants Program will be awarded to Illinois communities and organizations to help rural communities across the state modernize and protect their drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.

Under the announcement, these area communities and organizations will receive loans and grants through the USDA:

–EJ Water Cooperative, Inc. is expected to receive a $960,000 grant and a $3,537,000 loan to construct a reservoir that will provide 28,306 residents in south central Illinois with updated water infrastructure.

–Gateway Regional Water Company in Marion County is expected to receive a $1,135,000 grant and a $1,028,000 loan to address water supply needs for Farina Farms, the city of Kinmundy and the Gateway Transmission System. This will 1,314 Illinoisans.

–Clay County Water, Inc. is expected to receive a $694,600 loan to improve the quantity and quality of the existing water available for 100 Illinoisans by constructing 5.4 miles of four inch and six inch water line and installing a new master meter.

In April, the Senate passed Duckworth’s bipartisan Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act by a vote of 89-2, which would upgrade aging water infrastructure, address climate change on water systems, invest in new technologies and provide assistance to marginalized communities. Last month, President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal into law that included Duckworth’s water provisions. The USDA’s Water & Waste Disposal Loan and Grant Program provides funding for clean, reliable drinking water and wastewater infrastructure for homes and businesses in eligible rural and working communities.

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‘Disinfect to Protect Mission’ donates over P44-M

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Over a year and a half since the start of the health crisis, it cannot be denied that the Philippines has been one of the hardest-hit countries. Apart from enduring one of the longest lockdowns in the world, the country also ranks lowest in global resilience rankings as it had to deal with numerous waves of surges and overstretched medical facilities and frontliners. 

The country experienced several surges in cases throughout 2021, highlighted by a record-high 26,000 cases reported in September. In the same month, the country was averaging around 18,600 new cases a day, which left everyone fearful for their safety and their future. 

Even the youth was not spared, as schools have remained closed since March 2020. Only until recently did some public schools open their doors again in a test run.

With all these setbacks, it is the marginalized sectors of society that have been hit the hardest, just as it impacted the country’s healthcare system, the economy, as well as all other social services, in unprecedented ways.

Lysol recognized the challenges facing the country in the midst of all this. The brand’s thrust, which is to ”Disinfect to Protect,” weaved in perfectly with its desire to help protect Filipinos from the virus. Lysol hopes to continue educating Filipinos all around the country on the importance of disinfecting their homes and everything in it from the threat of everyday illness-causing germs, including the viral infection still going around. 

Because of the evolving new normal in 2021, the brand took its mission even a step further. It has recognized that Filipinos all around the country needed to be properly equipped to combat the spread of the virus. However, the challenge would be finding the right partners to help further amplify the mission. Fortunately, several organizations answered the call.

Throughout the year, Lysol donated several protection kits to partner organizations to be used in their vaccination drives and holding facilities, as well as protection kits distributed directly to vaccinees and consumers. 

This was best shown as Lysol set out to fulfill its ‘Disinfect to Protect Mission’ by partnering with the Office of the Vice President (OVP), local government units (LGU), the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), and other frontline organizations. In doing so, the brand made positive, impactful strides as it joined the concerted fight against the health crisis.

To date, P44 million worth of donations, in cash and in-kind, have been released to partners.

Partnering with Philippine Red Cross 

Extending a hand to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), Lysol has donated a total of P39 million, a gesture of support that has gone towards the construction of a molecular laboratory in Cagayan de Oro City, further strengthening mass testing among vulnerable groups in the country, and to support the operation of the PRC’s emergency field hospital and isolation facilities.

At present, the PRC operates an emergency field hospital – an extension ward for patients with moderate symptoms – at the Lung Center of the Philippines alongside isolation facilities at the Ateneo de Manila and University of the Philippines in Quezon City, College of Saint Benilde in Manila, and Makati Science High School.

More recently, it has donated P1.7 million worth of products to support PRC’s participation in the pilot school re-opening in Cebu.

Working hand-in-hand with the Office of the Vice President and LGUs

Shown in the photo are Lysol Philippines’ representatives Alfred So, Regulatory Affairs and Policy Director (leftmost), and Matt Davis, Marketing Director (rightmost) with Vice President Leni Robredo (center). The brand recently donated hygiene kits in support of the Vaccine Express Program of the Vice President. Photo source: Lysol

In partnership with the Office of the Vice President and its efforts towards addressing the health crisis, Lysol donated P1.2 million worth of products, consisting of hand sanitizers, Multi-Action Cleaners, Disinfectant Sprays, Surface Wipes, and Liquid Handwash. This product donation has been earmarked by the OVP for its Vaccine Express initiative in several areas as Lysol’s way of helping support continuous disinfection, even after vaccination. Those who availed of the vaccine received the Lysol products as a step to breaking the chain of infection. 

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte (leftmost) and Reckitt PH General Manager Aleli Arcilla (rightmost) leading the ceremonial turnover of product donations. Photo source: LysolQuezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte (leftmost) and Reckitt PH General Manager Aleli Arcilla (rightmost) leading the ceremonial turnover of product donations. Photo source: Lysol

The brand has also forged partnerships with various LGUs such as Quezon City and Manila City where a total of P2.8 million worth of product donations have been provided for use in their vaccination facilities as well as direct distribution to vaccinees. Additionally, a massive information dissemination campaign on proper hygiene habits was likewise facilitated in these cities.

Vaccinees from Quezon City received samples and an educational brochure on healthy hygiene habits, how to wash hands, and disinfect surfaces. Photo source: LysolVaccinees from Quezon City received samples and an educational brochure on healthy hygiene habits, how to wash hands, and disinfect surfaces. Photo source: Lysol

Partnering with families in breaking the Chain of Infection

Lysol understands the need to educate everyone about the importance of disinfection, and families are amongst the top groups the brand wanted to reach out to.

In 2021, Lysol partnered with family Team Kramer – namely Doug and Cheska together with kids Kendra, Scarlett, and Gavin. The family helped spread the message of the importance of always protecting homes with cleaning and disinfecting products. This was seen through thematic TVCs produced for Lysol, as well as social media posts and videos. 

Knowing that proper cleaning and disinfection practices begin at home, Lysol teamed up with the Kramer family, as they do their part in keeping their home environment safe from over 100 illness-causing germs and viruses. Photo source: LysolKnowing that proper cleaning and disinfection practices begin at home, Lysol teamed up with the Kramer family, as they do their part in keeping their home environment safe from over 100 illness-causing germs and viruses. Photo source: Lysol

Disinfect to Protect Mission

Lysol is taking an active part in the fight against the virus and has been evaluated by an independent third party as being tested and proven to kill the virus on hard, non-porous surfaces. Additionally, several of its products meet the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s criteria as disinfectants for the virus.

Here in the Philippines, Lysol continues to be one of the leading disinfectant sprays and Pediatrician Recommended Brands for disinfection.

Through these undertakings and partnerships amidst the health crisis, the brand reaffirms its long-term commitment to its ‘Disinfect to Protect Mission’ in the Philippines, as it looks forward to working with more stakeholders towards breaking the Chain of Infection and protecting the Filipino people.

To know more about Lysol and its products, visit its website and Facebook page.

NOTE: BrandNews articles are promotional features from our sponsors and not news articles from our editorial staff.

advertorial, BrandNews, life advertorial, Lysol, donation, disinfecting spray, health crisis, hygiene kits, vaccine, OVP, Red Cross, Vaccine Express Program

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Why Is Indoor Air Quality So Important?

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The reason for this concern for indoor air quality is that some people are more susceptible to health problems from environmental exposures. Exposures to nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide may be more hazardous to people with heart disease and respiratory infections, while children’s developing bodies are more vulnerable to the effects of these substances. Furthermore, children’s exposure to airborne chemicals is often more harmful than that of adults, and it is especially important to ensure good indoor air quality in schools.

In the workplace, poor indoor air quality can lead to various health problems. Employees have been shown to experience headaches, difficulty concentrating, eyesight irritation, and fatigue when exposed to high levels of pollutants. Moreover, exposure to some air pollutants and damp indoor environments can cause specific diseases. Some exposures can even cause cancer. Those with a chronic illness need to seek medical attention and seek help if they are experiencing these symptoms.

The average American spends 90% of their time indoors. In this environment, the concentration of pollutants is two to five times greater than outside. These pollutants can have immediate effects, such as coughing, headaches, and eye irritation. However, the delayed effects of exposure to air pollutants may be severe, even fatal. So, it is critical to have good indoor air quality in homes, schools, and workplaces. Just as we all need clean water to live, good indoor air quality is important to our health.

It’s important to understand why indoor air quality is so important. Research has shown that people with compromised immune systems are more likely to develop breathing problems, as indoor air pollution increases their risk for these conditions. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 3 billion people use dirty solid fuels in their homes. These sources can be a source of toxic air pollutants, including PM and SO 2. Although these pollutants are invisible, their presence in homes is harmful.

The primary factors that contribute to indoor air quality include the presence of pollutants. Many of these contaminants are flammable, and they can make the inside of a home feel stale. Some of these pollutants can make you cough, while others can cause a headache. To prevent this, it is important to have a healthy indoor air environment. You should also make sure that the air inside your house is free of dust and other particles.

Some of the pollutants that are in the air in your home can cause headaches, eye irritation, and fatigue. More serious pollutants can even affect your health and cause long-term health problems. Secondhand smoke is one of the biggest culprits of indoor air pollution. It can worsen asthma symptoms and cause ear infections in children. Other airborne pollutants, such as radiation, can harm your health. If you live in a home with poor indoor-air quality, you should be concerned about the health of your family.

How to Clean Cutting Boards

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Thousands head home voluntarily from Zambia to DR Congo   |

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The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said that security had improved sufficiently in DR Congo’s Pweto territory, Haut-Katanga province, for them to go home “in safety and dignity”.

Inter-ethnic clashes as well as fighting between Congolese security forces and militia groups in parts of southeastern DRC in 2017, have uprooted communities. 

Nearly 5,000 refugees who fled violence in the DRC🇨🇩 of Congo – Kinshasa four years ago are headed home voluntarily from Zambia. The first 100 people are living today.
More👉https://t.co/SKWFYqF3QB

— UNHCR Southern Africa (@UNHCRSouthernAF) December 21, 2021

Through intention surveys carried out in October by UNHCR, some 4,774 refugees expressed their aim to voluntarily return to DRC.

International agreement

The voluntary repatriation, which will continue into 2022, is part of the ongoing 2006 tripartite agreement between UNHCR and the Governments of Zambia and DR Congo.

Partners are supporting the returning refugees by providing voluntary repatriation documents, expedited immigration clearance, health screening and school certificates to allow children to resume their education in the DRC.

“As security has improved in some areas of Haut-Katanga, an estimated 20,000 refugees have spontaneously left Zambia since 2018 to return to their areas of origin – mainly to Pweto territory”, UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch told journalists in Geneva.

Meanwhile, the UN refugee agency is working with authorities and development partners – such as Catholic aid confederation CARITAS – in DRC to advance reintegration projects, including education, health and agriculture, and to ensure conditions for safe and dignified returns.

Currently, some 18,000 Congolese refugees farm at Mantapala settlement – established in early 2018 to accommodate displaced people – alongside 5,000 Zambians, across 11 integrated villages.

As Zambia continues to host 103,000 refugees, asylum seekers, and former refugees, including more than 63,000 from DR Congo, over the past three years around 20,000 Congolese have left to return home.

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Food Programme (WFP) are assisting in repatriation efforts.

Agency support

The two agencies have provided buses and trucks to help transport refugees, their belongings and food for the journey, Families will receive a cash grant to help them pick up their lives again in the DRC.

“UNHCR will disinfect the buses, provide face masks, hand sanitizers and, together with the authorities, ensure that COVID-19 prevention measures are observed, including loading of buses to half the capacity”, Mr. Baloch said.

UNICEF has improved water and sanitation facilities at the reception centre in Chiengi district, where returning refugees are being housed for the night to process immigration documents, before embarking on the final leg of their journey home.

And Zambian authorities are providing rapid COVID-19 tests for the returning refugees, at the Mantapala Rural Health Centre.

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Cleaning Secrets for Every Room

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The Challenge
Kitchens are among a home’s germiest spots, says Donald Schaffner, PhD, a Rutgers University professor of food microbiology. And with many of us eating our three squares at home day in and day out, food-prep grunge builds up fast on appliances and counters.

Top Tools
Sponge, baking soda, soft cloth, disinfectant cleanser, dish soap, abrasive cleaner (either gel or spray), glass cleaner or stainless steel polish.

Dirt-Busters
Remove smudges from appliance exteriors with a cleaning and polishing product made for stainless steel (if you have that finish) or just a damp cloth for other materials.

Wipe off food and grease from gas stovetops with a scrub pad and hot, soapy water after meal prep. The same should help inside the oven. There, cover tough stains with a wet cloth, let it sit a bit, and then hit them with the scrub pad and soapy water again.

For badly stained burner covers and grates, leave them overnight in a sealable plastic bag with one-fourth cup of ammonia so you can easily wipe them clean the next day. (Ventilate when using ammonia.)

Really need a deep clean? While some ovens have lower-temperature self-cleaning modes, high-temperature self-cleaning is the most effective, says Tara Casaregola, who oversees CR’s range tests.

To keep odors and gunk in your fridge at bay, go over plastic surfaces regularly with a sponge dipped in a cup of baking soda mixed with a quart of water. (An open box of baking soda in the fridge helps odor-proof further.) Wipe the door gasket with a damp sponge or cloth to maintain a good seal and keep the cold air in.

Smelly dishwasher? Pull out any food bits you see at the bottom, and rinse the filter as needed. You can also remove the spray arms and poke out any food that’s stuck in the holes with a toothpick.

Put condensation to work for microwave cleaning. Pop a bowl of water mixed with a quarter-cup of lemon juice inside and run the unit on high for a minute, then wipe. If caked-on food won’t budge, scrape it off with an old credit card. (But avoid the window.) This works in ovens, too.

For food particles and grease residue on sinks, check with the manufacturer for abrasive cleaners that won’t scratch, advises Brian Sansoni, senior vice president at the American Cleaning Institute. “In general, liquid, spray, and gel cleansers are less abrasive than powders,” he says.

With countertops, “care isn’t one-size-fits-all,” says John Galeotafiore, director of product testing at CR. So follow the manufacturer’s advice for cleaning yours. For instance, an end-of-day sweep with a damp cloth may be all you need for quartz, while a soft cloth or sponge dipped in dish liquid and water works for granite, laminate, and butcher block.

In general, skip scrubber sponges on counters, Dickerson says. “It can score them, leaving crevices and cracks where bacteria can get in and reside,” he says.

Germ Warfare
If someone at home has COVID-19, going over high-touch areas like countertops and fridge handles with a soapy sponge will wash away virus particles, Goldman says, but you can also use a coronavirus-killing disinfectant. Otherwise, attend to areas where high levels of microbes are common: sponges and sink drains.

“When there’s moisture and food, bacteria can multiply,” Schaffner says. So at least weekly, use a scrub brush to clear the sink drain of food particles and grime, then spray it with a household disinfectant. Throw dirty sponges in the dishwasher with a drying cycle, or microwave for a minute with a bit of water in a dish. The Department of Agriculture found these to be the best methods for killing foodborne bacteria.

Clean, then disinfect surfaces and items that have come into contact with raw meat or eggs, says Marshall (think countertops, handles, sinks). Cleaning away visible dirt first with soap and water will enhance disinfectant effectiveness. Mop up food spills in the fridge right away. You may also want to swab the inner surfaces regularly with soap and water or a disinfectant. And give grubby shelves and bins a warm water and soap bath in the sink, says Larry Ciufo, CR’s test engineer for refrigerators.

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Useful Tips For Healthcare Business Owners On How To Properly Disinfect Their Place

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Useful Tips For Healthcare Business Owners On How To Properly Disinfect Their Place

During the pandemic, there are many safety guidelines that we need to follow in order to protect ourselves from getting infected with COVID.

The rules of social distancing and personal hygiene from hand washing protocols to wearing face masks have been enforced all over the world. The situation is even more strict in healthcare facilities, where doctors and nurses deal with patients every day. Pandemic or not, any healthcare business owner should follow strict hygienic and safety guidelines. Here’s how healthcare business owners should disinfect their workplace.

Personal Hygiene

Personal_Hygiene.png

The first step is to take care of personal hygiene. When you are aware of where your hands were and disinfect them regularly, you will be mindful of other surfaces that need to be disinfected. There are certain rules to bear in mind. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Repeat this procedure before and after meals and especially after using the restroom. Keep a 70% alcohol sanitizer in your pockets at all times in case soap and water are not accessible.

Resist the urge to touch your face, and if you must, sanitize your hands first and use clean tissue paper on your eyes, nose, or mouth. Your personal items must be sterilized regularly including your wallet, phone, and keys, and other frequently used objects. Disinfect all the surfaces in your office that are touched often like doorknobs, desks, and computers. Always keep rooms ventilated as much as possible by opening the windows to allow fresh air to enter. If you feel sick, you should isolate yourself immediately and get tested for COVID.

When Dealing with a Patient

There are five situations where you would need to disinfect your hands when dealing with a patient. The first is before you touch the patient. Disinfect your hand using a 70% hand sanitizer that should be attached to every bed, office, and hallway in your facility. This is done to protect the patient from any germs that can be transmitted by the healthcare worker. The second is before you perform any type of procedure on a patient. This may include inserting a needle or medical tubing, administering medicine in mucous membranes, like eye drops or suppositories, treating wounds and burns, and performing other invasive procedures. The third is after any procedure to protect yourself and other healthcare workers from possible infections.

The fourth is after touching a patient, whether with a normal handshake or checking for vitals or any other noninvasive exam. The fifth is after touching the objects and items surrounding the patient. This is because the patient usually touches surfaces within their surroundings and does not necessarily disinfect their hands after each object they come in contact with. These objects include the patient’s bed, bedside chart, bedside table or locker, light switch, remote control, chair, or any other item in the room.

Common Areas

Any areas that most people use in the healthcare facility like the cafeteria or dining room area, meeting rooms, or reception desk should be cleaned regularly. To prevent the aerial dissemination of C-Diff spores, every surface that is frequently touched should be disinfected several times a day. Consulting offices should be cleaned and disinfected after every patient leaves and before a new one enters. Any surface that may come in contact with respiratory droplets must be disinfected routinely. High-intensity rooms like the intensive care unit and outpatient areas should be disinfected more often than other less used areas.

Disinfection and Cleaning

After cleaning any surface, it should be further disinfected to remove any pathogens that were left after cleaning. A disinfectant solution is composed of bleach and water. Follow the instructions on the bleach container carefully. Avoid adding any other chemicals or cleaners to the bleach solution because it will result in harmful vapors. Make sure to wear protective gear when using this solution like gloves, face mask, and face shield or goggles to protect your eyes from potential splashes. Set the air-conditioning system to allow fresh air inside and open the windows whenever you can for proper ventilation.

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When a patient leaves your facility, their room must be cleaned thoroughly and disinfected. Any medical equipment used on the patient must be disposed of properly. The patient’s sheets or disposable screens and curtains must be thrown away. The bed, table, chairs, windows, and every surface should be disinfected to make the room ready for the next patient. These procedures must be strictly followed to try and minimize the chance of infection as much as possible in healthcare facilities.

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