Let’s stay safe at Christmas

Our expert Delia Cannings offers some advice on friends and family gatherings in the festive season

As we come to the end of an extraordinary year with the launch of the new vaccine to combat the Corona Virus in full flow let me just share a little advice and a few tips to help us as we head into 2021.

Firstly, let us review the risks as small Christmas family gatherings are permitted and people in Tiers 2 and 3 hope that the New Year will – perhaps – eventually see some restrictions relaxed. It is vital that in the meantime we continue to exercise caution in the control and containment of the silent and invisible menace that is COVID-19.

The deadly pathogens do not know it is Christmas, do not know we are having some days off, so sadly the risks are going to be higher as we unite in our bubbles during the festive few days that we have been allowed.

It is important to acknowledge we do not need to disinfect from head to toe before entering our bubble environments. However, you must follow the guidance on staying safe. Ensure your mask is not dropped on the table as you sit with your ‘Bubble Buddies’ for dinner. Have your plastic sandwich bag to hand and pop your mask inside whilst not using it.

Do not let ‘touch- points’ be a ‘sore point’. As many hands will be grabbing at the TV remote the risk is going to be increased. Pop the remote into a see-through sandwich bag to protect the surface and reduce the potential for body fats and soil to accumulate around the keys. Simply wipe the bag over with a wipe that cleans and disinfects and when your ‘bubble buddies’ leave you can remove the remote from the bag and safely dispose of the bag.

Touch points are a vehicle for transmission so remember door handles, the loo flush as well as light switches and taps require frequent cleaning and disinfecting as we host our ‘Bubble Buddies’. Remember touch points include coat hooks, keyboards, and lamp switches.

Restrict access to the fridge, and the host could nominate a helper who becomes the pourer of the wine and the gravy… naturally in that order!

Best wishes for Christmas and The New Year,

Delia Cannings

We are now familiar with the terms lock down, tiers, self-isolation. We acknowledge and follow the guidance on handwashing, face masks and social distancing.

We hear the terms clean and disinfect or sanitise, however is the meaning of ” Deep Cleaning really understood?

What does it mean ?

To my mind it implies accumulations of soil have been allowed to build up which is not always a true reflection of the situation. Therefore, a more appropriate term might be a scheduled detailed clean which acknowledges the activity is planned and not reactive.

There are many areas within our buildings that will require this scheduled activity and may include kitchens where cookers and heavy equipment needs to move to facilitate detailed cleaning.

Main frame computer units, carpet cleaning and stripping and sealing floors and in the case of hospitals the operating theatres walls and ceilings. Ducting ventilation grilles all require a planned programme of detailed cleaning and maintenance to avoid the accumulation of soilage which is often referred to as a” Deep Clean” such a negative term.

Businesses are relying on our cleaning teams and housekeeping staff to provide safe spaces, and that means professionally cleaned safe environments.

To ensure we are compliant:

Ensure COVID 19 safe measures are embraced (followed)– Hands, Face, Space.

Risk Assessment is available, meeting compliance requirements and understood by all, particularly where language barriers may be a factor

Adhere to a two-stage process Clean and Disinfect

‘Use and lose’ your cleaning cloths or wipes

Dispose of waste with care

In summary do not “Deep Clean, Keep Clean”