Health

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1. Your toothbrush

Dozen
surprising places where germs lurk
By Zeina Sahyoun, MedLabs Laboratories

The

Dirty

Germs* are everywhere. In fact, many of them lurk where you least expect them. Heres our list of the germiest places you and your family are likely to encounter during an average day.
Do you ever leave your toothbrush laying on the bathroom counter? Considering that ushing the toilet can cause germs to y anywhere from two to three metres, you may want to reconsider! Protect yourself: Keep your brush as far from the toilet as possible and store it in a plastic container or holder. Dentists recommend you replace your toothbrush every three months and not share your toothbrush with anyone. dishwasher or wet and microwave it for two minutes, which kills 99 per cent of the bacteria living in it. You should replace your sponge at least once a month.

3. Your living room rug

Rugs are a breeding ground for germs as dirt, dust and grease tend to accumulate there. They can be dirtier than your toilet seat! Although you may move the rug to sweep or mop under it, what's the point if the dirt and particles attached to the rug's underside comes in contact with the oor again? Protect yourself: Vacuum cleaning is the best choice to suction out those pesky dust particulars. Simply vacuum both sides of the rug.

2. The kitchen sponge

Sponges make it easy to wipe up spills and messes, but they also make it easy for bacteria and germs to grow. Sponges stay wet long after they aren't being used, creating the perfect environment for budding microbes. Protect yourself: Disinfecting a sponge is easy. Rinse it thoroughly in very hot water every night, toss it in the 52
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4. Computer keyboards, mice and touchscreens

These can be home for up to 200 times the number of bacteria found on a toilet seat. The sweat and oils from

ngers and hands leave behind grime and germs that cause the u, colds, strep throat and more. Protect yourself: To minimise the spread of germs, wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitiser throughout the day, and encourage your children to do the same, especially when sharing school supplies or taking turns using the computer.

5. The schools restroom

Restrooms are the epicentre of cross-contamination because germs such as E. coli and other fecal toxins are concentrated there. The good news is that most school restrooms are cleaned daily (though not always eectively). The bad news is that, as children go in and out of restrooms, they may not wash their hands. They then spread the germs they carry to nearly every area they touch, including door handles, sink taps, countertops and their faces, making it easy for harmful germs to infect them and for them to carry transferable pathogens around the school. Protect yourself: Teach your kids how to wash their hands properly and remind them to dry them well too.

use unit (you open it, try it and throw it away). If that's not available, use a tissue to wipe o the sample and then apply the product to the back of your hand.

9. ATM keypads
After testing 38 ATMs in downtown Taipei, Chinese researchers found that each key contained an average of 1,200 germs, including illness-inducing microbes like E. coli and cold and u viruses. The worst key of all is the "enter" button, since everyone has to touch it. Protect yourself: Avoid getting germs on your ngertips by using your knuckles. This way, germs are less likely to nd their way to your nose and mouth. Also be sure to wash your hands or use hand sanitiser afterward.

6. Toy stores
Toy stores can actually be germier than play areas, carousels and other kid-friendly zones, simply because of the way little ones behave there. Kids lick toys and rub them on their faces, leaving behind a plethora of germs. Protect yourself: If you purchase a toy that isn't in a sealed box or package, wipe it down with soap and water or alcohol before giving it to your child. And, of course, reach for the hand sanitiser after you've been playing in the toy aisle.

10. Credit cards

Think about how many times you use your credit cards every day. Now, think about how many sales associates handle those cards, what their hands have come in contact with throughout the day and what's lurking in the crevices of card-swipe machines. Protect yourself: It's important to clean your cards as often as you can with anti-bacterial wipes and to let them air dry before returning them back to your wallet.

7. Public restroom sinks

The lthiest area in a restroom isn't the toilet handle or the doorknob it's the sink. Bacteria, including E. coli, fester on the taps and handles because people touch those surfaces right after using the toilet. Watch out for soap dispensers, too; not only are they handled by many dirty hands, but the soap itself may harbour germs. Protect yourself: Wash your hands thoroughly after using the restroom: lather with soap for at least 20 seconds and rinse well. Use a paper towel to turn o the water and open the door. If there's no soap or paper towel, kill germs with an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.

11. Shopping cart handles

Carts are handled by dozens of people every day and can harbour even more bacteria than the average public bathroom. Protect yourself: Bring your own disinfectant wipe and give the handle a quick swab. Be sure to put raw meat, fruits and vegetables in plastic bags before placing them in your cart.

12. Restaurant menus

Ever see anybody wash a menu? We didn't think so. Cold and u viruses can survive for 18 hours on hard surfaces. Hundreds of people could be passing their germs on to you without you even knowing. Protect yourself: Never let the menu touch your plate or silverware and wash your hands after you order. *There are millions of germs and only a tiny fraction of them actually cause disease in humans. While theres no reason to panic, its still a good idea to take precautionary measures to keep yourself and your family healthy.
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8. Make-up samples
The next time you head to the makeup counter, you might end up picking up an infection right along with the latest lipstick shade. Most makeup-counter testers are contaminated with bacteria such as staph, strep and E. coli. Protect yourself: Avoid applying public makeup samples directly to your lips, eyes or face. Ask for a single-

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