Staples Advantages Survey Shows End-user Demand, Desire, for Flu-fighting Products
How You Can Prevent the Spread of Germs in Your Office
Sunday, September 18 marked the beginning of the 2011 International Clean Hands Week, and December 4 starts National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW), a national observance established to highlight the importance of flu vaccinations.
Staples Advantage recommends these easy steps to help offices and employees maintain a healthier environment:
- Focus on the simple solution: Proper hand washing is the most important technique that many people ignore. Ensure proper hand washing by providing self-foaming soap, touch-free fixtures and motion-sensor dispensers in bathrooms.
- Be prepared: Some important products to have on hand, just-in-case, include latex gloves, masks, sanitizing wipes and disinfecting cleaning chemicals. Also, clean common touch surfaces such as bathroom doors, elevator buttons and ATM machines more frequently.
- Utilize technology as much as possible: Technology and home office solutions can help encourage employees to stay home when sick to prevent the spread of germs and the flu. Whenever possible, promote telecommuting as an option for employees when they're feeling ill.
"Organizations of all sizes can create effective cleaning programs to help reduce the spread of office germs," said Roger McFadden, senior scientist at Staples Advantage. "However, individuals can also do their part to protect themselves and their co-workers from germs. For example, encourage respiratory etiquette, use tissues, clean up your workspace and wash hands properly."