4 Steps to Disinfect Your Tech During Cold and Flu Season
Cold and Flu season is here with a vengeance. We are in the midst of a flu epidemic and many experts predict it hasn't reached it's peak. Public health experts recommend you stick the basic steps to avoid the flu such as washing your hands, getting a flu shot, and disinfecting surfaces you touch on a regular basis. One of the most ignored surfaces we touch are our smartphones and our keyboards. We place our smartphones on many surfaces (such as the bathroom counter) that can have many forms of bacteria and viruses. If you come in contact with people day to day, what are the chances you wash your hands every time you sit down at a keyboard? How can you protect yourself? Follow these simple steps to keep your phone and other gadgets clean during cold and flu season.
The most common way that the flu is spread is from person- to- person contact, as well as from dirty hands that come in contact with your face, eyes, nose and mouth. These areas are points of entry for the flu virus. Did you know the average person touches their face up to 16 times per hour? Even more disturbing is that if you don't clean your smartphone, computer or laptop keyboard on a regular basis, it can contain more germs than a toilet? Now you can see the concern. Here's what you can do:
1. Use cleaning products designed for technology. You don't want to use harsh cleaning chemicals on your devices, including water. Remember these are delicate gadgets. While you can use Anti-bacterial wipes on your computer keyboard, you want to avoid using them on your smartphone. They are very abrasive and can leave scratches on your phone. My suggestion is to run to the store and get Wireless Wipes (www.wirelesswipes.com) or the Tech Armor Cleaning Kit (www.techarmor.com) These handy wipes are guaranteed to keep your smartphone and tablet germ free.
2. Make Your Own Cleaning Solution To Clean Your Devices. If you want save a few pennies, you can create your own mixture using You could also make your own cleaning solution using a 50-50 mixture of rubbing alcohol and distilled water. When wiping down the surface of your keyboard, smartphone or tablet, always use a microfiber cloth. Never use paper towels or other standard cleaning clothes.
3. Get Some Tech that Will Clean Your Tech. If you want a high tech solution for sanitizing your phone, consider the PhoneSoap Charger (www.phonesoap.com). This device will make your smartphone and tablets germ free and charge them all at the same time. It might be a little pricey, but PhoneSoap will also clean things such as keys, credit cards and watches.
4. Get a Cover that Will Minimize Germs on your gadgets. Use a surface cover or case for your smartphone or tablet that has antimicrobial protection. One of the best products you can get is from BioArmor (www.bioarmortech.com). These products offer 24/7 protection from the germs your tablet and smartphone encounter.
Some more things to consider during cold and flu season:
1. Do not share Smartphone with others. If you do, wash your hands before handling your device or use a hand sanitizer to kill germs.
2. Keep your smartphone out of the hands of your children. You take the risk of infecting your child and they can be can be a major factor for spreading the flu to you |
3. Consider using your phone 'hands-free' or use ear buds for phone conversations.
Following these tips can help keep you and your family safe from germs during cold and flu season.
Do you have tips to disinfect your tech devices, drop me a line and let me know. Please share this information with everyone.
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I'm Burton Kelso and I'm a Kansas City based Tech Expert and the Chief Technology Expert at Integral, providing on-site and remote support for computers, tablets, smartphones, routers, printers, and any device that connects to the internet. I regularly appear as a guest tech correspondent on ABC, NBC, FOX, and CBS on shows such as Kansas City Live, Better Kansas City, FOX 4 Morning Show, offering viewers easy tips on technology, Internet lifestyle, Internet security and gadgets. You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn , and Twitter and watch great tech tip videos on my YouTube channel. I can be reached at 888-256-0829 or email at burton@integralcomputerconsultants.com