As the holiday season quickly approaches, holiday revelers can find joy in updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as the agency offers several recommendations for minimizing risk so that family and friends can safely celebrate the season.
Of course, the CDC strongly encourages individuals to continue wearing well-fitting face coverings in public indoor settings, especially if celebrations consist of family and friends from various age groups. Face coverings can be composed of either disposable or washable materials.
In addition, the CDC recommends avoiding crowded, poorly ventilated spaces, adding that the outdoors is safer than indoors. The agency also encourages staying home or canceling celebrations should you feel sick. It is equally essential to get tested if you exhibit any symptoms or have had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
You can also promote a healthy indoor environment by continuing to clean and disinfect, as this is the best way to eliminate all strains and variants of COVID-19 on frequently touched nonporous surfaces in both private and public settings, assuming you are using the correct disinfection equipment and according to the directions found on the product label.
Choose EPA-Registered Disinfectants
Before the holidays arrive, choose disinfectants that have been approved for use against coronavirus, as found on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) List N. To achieve EPA-registration, these disinfection products have undergone rigorous examination, so you can be confident that they will help you create a safe environment for your holiday guests. In addition, the EPA expects these products to kill all strains and variants of the coronavirus when used according to label directions.
Follow Product Label Directions
The product label contains essential information such as use sites, surface types, mixing instructions, contact time, and storage guidance. It also includes precautionary statements, expiration dates, and other pertinent information. According to the EPA, reading product labels provides many advantages, notably keeping you and your family safe. They can also help you choose the right products, save you money, and help the environment (United States Environmental Protection Agency).
Always Clean Surfaces First
To ensure product efficacy, you must first clean hard, nonporous surfaces using soap and water. Doing this removes traces of contaminants such as dirt, debris, dust, and food that may be harboring germs and bacteria. However, cleaning is not sufficient to kill all germs; that is why in addition to cleaning, you should disinfect the area with an EPA-registered disinfectant proven to kill 99.9999 percent of bacteria in the biofilm. Always wear disposable gloves and ensure proper contact time.
Choose Disinfection Equipment
Decon7 has many advantages over other disinfectants in that it has demonstrated a 99.9999% log kill rate and can be applied to nonporous surfaces as a foam, fog, or spray. However, specialized equipment such as air compressors, cold foggers, disinfection carts, and mixing stations may be required depending on your preferred application method and the area’s square footage. In addition, you may want to consider purchasing a hand sanitizer with Benzalkonium Chloride for your holiday celebrations.
Tact Clean is proud to offer EPA-registered Decon7 in volumes up to 520 gallons for commercial, industrial, and municipal applications. In addition, lower quantities of Decon7 are also available for household use and smaller businesses. We also offer all the disinfection equipment you need to promote healthy living or working environments. For more information on product benefits or pricing, or to purchase D7 for your holiday celebrations, contact us today at (480) 335-6393.
Resources:
“About List N: Disinfectants for Coronavirus (COVID-19).” United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
“Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility: Every Day and When Someone is Sick.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), June 15, 2021.
“Holiday Celebrations.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), October 15, 2021.
“Keep Safe: Read the Label First.” United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
“Six Steps for Safe & Effective Disinfectant Use.” United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
