6 Important Times to Use Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer is being used more than ever before due to the global pandemic. Let’s take a look at 6 of the most important times you should use hand sanitizer to keep you and others safe.

After Blowing Your Nose, Coughing, Or Sneezing

While this one is a given, it is always good to reiterate that after you sneeze, cough, or blow your nose, you will need to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to kill germs. If you have access to a sink, you should wash your hands with soap and water, and adequately dry them. Since there are many times you are on the go and away from water, you should always carry some form of hand sanitizer with you to use after you cough, sneeze, or blow your nose.

After Touching Publicly Used Items

Having an easy-to-carry, portable hand sanitizer can be a literal lifesaver if you are going to be out and about in public. Know your route and what items you may have to touch in order to get into stores, pump gas, or buy groceries. While many stores offer wipes or some type of sanitizer at the front of the store, it is always a good idea to keep your own hand sanitizer on you to use. This can be a quick and easy way to kill germs after opening a door, using an elevator, using a gas pump, or simply using a bus or taxi. As a rule of thumb, if someone else has touched it, sanitize your hands after you use it.

Keep Safe While Grocery Shopping

When Grocery Shopping

One thing that we cannot avoid doing during the pandemic is grocery shopping. While there are alternatives to going in person, such as delivery and curbside pickup, sometimes you have to go into a grocery store to get what you need. If you are having to visit a grocery store, it is always a good idea to have hand sanitizer on you as you will be touching items that many people have touched. While most stores will be sanitizing door handles, carts, and bathrooms more frequently, having your own hand sanitizer can help you ensure you are staying as germ-free as possible.

Eating in Restaurants

Now that restaurants are re-opening, it is important to use sanitizer before and after eating. Since you can't wear a mask while eating, you should pay extra attention to not touching your mouth, eyes, or nose while you are eating or any time you are not wearing your mask. Stay alert to your surroundings and if you notice anyone who appears to be coughing or sneezing nearby, ask to be moved to a different location. 

While Traveling or Using Mass Transit

Trains, Buses, Subways, and Planes are being disinfected and cleaned frequently and everyone should still be wearing masks. You should, however, carry sanitizer with you whenever you are traveling whether it be in an Uber, Lyft or taxi, on a bus, subway or train, or on a plane or boat.

Before & After Visiting Someone In A Hospital Or Nursing Home

Most nursing homes are limiting visits. This is done to keep their facility and residents as safe as possible. If you are able to visit a friend or loved one in a nursing home or rehabilitation center, it is important that you are free of symptoms and have sanitized your hands. They will probably take your temperature upon entering as well. You will also want to use hand sanitizer when leaving to help kill specific germs on your hands that you may have picked up while visiting.

The same goes for visiting someone in the hospital. Visitations there have also been limited and you will need to be free of fever and any symptoms of the virus to be able to enter the hospital. If you are able to visit someone, you will need to make sure that you use hand sanitizer when you leave to kill germs you may have gotten on your hands from touching doors, elevator buttons, and other objects in the hospital.

You will also need to wear a mask for either of these types of visits.