How to make your home a coronavirus-safe zone

We all want to keep our homes safe and our families healthy when it comes to coronavirus. But there’s a lot of doubt about safety at home.

• Can coronavirus live on surfaces? 
• Should I disinfect my groceries? 
• Is take-out safe? 
• Should I leave my shoes outside? 
• Are mailed envelopes and packages a risk?

COVID-19 research and safety precautions will evolve. For now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers these guidelines. 

Do I need to sanitize surfaces?

To keep surfaces clean, the CDC suggests cleaning and disinfecting commonly touched areas. This includes doorknobs, light switches, remotes, faucets, and so on often. Cleaning can be used to remove dirt, germs and impurities from surfaces, but doesn’t kill germs. Disinfecting uses chemicals like EPA-registered disinfectants to kill germs on surfaces and lower the risk of spreading infection. Regularly clean and disinfect your home. 

Are masks a must?

As of April 24, as stated by the Michigan Governor’s executive order, individuals must wear a cloth face covering over their nose and mouth in any enclosed group setting like a grocery store. A cloth face covering isn’t meant to protect the wearer, but may stop the spread of the virus from the wearer to others. This is important if someone is infected but doesn’t have symptoms. Similar to social distancing, frequent hand washing and other everyday preventive actions, wearing a mask can reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Are my groceries good to go?

Information about the lifespan of COVID-19 on surfaces continues to evolve. While there’s no need to wash or disinfect each grocery item when you get back from the store, the CDC suggests certain precautions for groceries and food safety:

• After going to the store, keep your grocery bags in a separate area from your food preparation surfaces. Don’t put grocery bags on the counter where you’ll later have items for dinner. 
• Take groceries out of their bags and get rid of bags in an outside trashcan.
• Wash your hands many times.
• Clean all surfaces the bags touched.

What should I do with deliveries?

If you’re picking up take-out or a package from the porch, the CDC suggests limiting as much in-person contact as possible. Pay online or over the phone beforehand. After getting your delivery, bringing home take-out food, or collecting mail from a post office or home mailbox, wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water aren’t on hand, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Where should I store shoes?

Instead of tracking your shoes and germs into the home, take them off and leave them outside. Store your shoes in the garage or on a mat on the porch. If you walk with your shoes indoors, be sure to clean your floors. 

For more tips, tricks and COVID-19 safety updates, follow along with the CDC’s guidelines.