Cleaning and Disinfecting

YOUR HOME WHEN SOMEONE IS SICK

by Dr. Rebecca Butler (Lantana Resident), Board Certified in Pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics

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940.455.7200 LantanaPediatrics.com

74 McMakin Rd., Ste. 100 Bartonville, TX 76226

Mon, Tues, Thurs: 7:30am-6pm Wed: 7:30am-1pm Fri: 7:30am-5pm | Sat: 9am-12pm As the Delta variant spreads, more and more families are having to care for someone in their household with COVID-19. So how do you protect yourself and other members of the family? Isolation, vaccination, social distancing, and masking are readily discussed on every media outlet 24 hours a day, but what do you do when your home has been affected?

Disinfect, disinfect, disinfect! Disinfect your home when someone who is positive for COVID-19 has been in your home within the last 24 hours. At this point, it is about reducing the risk of spread.

If the person infected with COVID lives in your home, keep a separate bedroom and bathroom for a person who is sick (if possible). Apply covering to tablets, screens, remote controls, etc., to make cleaning these surfaces easier.

If the infected person can do the cleaning, that would be ideal:

• Provide dedicated cleaning and disinfecting supplies to the person who is sick. Supplies include tissues, paper towels, cleaners, and EPA LIST N disinfectants.

• In shared spaces, the person who is sick should clean and disinfect surfaces and items after each use.

If the infected person cannot clean, you and the infected individual should put on a mask before you enter the room.

• Wear gloves if needed for your cleaning and disinfection product(s).

• Only clean and disinfect the area around the person who is sick, if necessary, to limit your contact with the person who is sick.

• Open outside doors and windows;

Use fans and HVAC ventilation as much as possible.

• Wear gloves when handling dishes and utensils for the person who is sick. Consider disposable utensils and other dishes and dispose of trash immediately in a well-ventilated area (out of common spaces).

• Use a dedicated, lined trash can for the person who is sick.

• Use gloves when removing garbage bags and handling and disposing of trash.

• Wash hands after disposing of the trash.

When Someone Is No Longer Sick: Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Home

• After the person who was sick no longer needs to be separated, wait at least 24 hours, if possible, to clean and disinfect.

• If it has been less than 24 hours, wear a mask when you enter the room, open windows, and use fans to help increase airflow. And always use disinfectants safely. After three days, go back to routine cleaning as usual.

• Clean the soft surfaces (carpets, rugs, and drapes) with soap and water or with cleaners made for use on these surfaces.

• Launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting and dry items completely.

• Disinfect using an EPA List Nexternal icon product for use on soft surfaces, if needed.

• Vacuum. If vacuuming an area occupied by a sick person or someone positive for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, wear a mask when vacuuming.

For more information refer to: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/preventgetting-sick/disinfecting-your-home.html