Spring Cleaning

Tackling spring cleaning chores can be a major undertaking for you and your family, but maintaining a safe and healthy home is worth the time you will spend. Spring cleaning reinforces the importance of keeping germs out of the home to stop many infectious diseases before they happen.

Low-cost Steps to a Safer and Healthier Home Include:

Cleaning and Disinfecting Surfaces
Cleaning removes germs from surfaces and disinfecting destroys germs from surfaces. Disinfecting after cleaning gives an extra level of protection from germs. Areas with the largest amounts of germs and frequently used areas—such as the kitchen and bathroom—should be disinfected with a bleach solution or another disinfectant as often as possible to avoid the spread of germs.

Handling and Preparing Food Safely
There are four simple daily practices to food safety and protection from food borne bacteria:

1. Clean hands and surfaces often;

2. Separate and don't cross-contaminate one food with another;

3. Cook foods to proper temperatures by using a food thermometer and observing recommended internal cooking temperatures

4. Chill or refrigerate foods promptly by storing leftovers at a temperature of 40°F or below in the refrigerator and 0° F or below in the freezer.

Washing Hands Frequently
Keeping your hands clean is one of the best ways to keep from getting sick and spreading illnesses. Frequent hand washing gets rid of germs you pick up from other people, from the surfaces you touch and from the animals you come in contact with.
Knowing when to wash your hands and how to wash your hands is very important. When soap and water are not available, you should use an alcohol-based wipe or hand gel.

Got Mice? Handling Rodent Infestations

If you find signs of rodents or their droppings in your home, take precautions to clean up the area safely.

• Seal up holes or gaps in your home to prevent rodents from returning. Learn more…

• Trap rodents in and around your home using an appropriate snap trap. Learn more…

• Clean up any sources of food or water, and items that might provide shelter for rodents. Learn more…

More Information and Resources

• An Ounce of Prevention: Keeps the Germs Away
  Seven Keys to a Safer and Healthier Home
• Food Safety
  Steps to preventing food borne illnesses
• Clean Hands Saves Lives
  Information about good hand hygiene
• Rodent Control
  What to do about rodent infestation