A Clean Dispatch Console is Good for Your Health

Cleaning a surface simply removes visible debris, dirt and dust. Sanitizing a surface makes that surface sanitary or free of visible dirt contaminants that could affect your health. Sanitizing is meant to reduce, not kill, the occurrence and growth of bacteria, viruses and fungi. Disinfecting a surface will “kill” the microscopic organisms as claimed on the label of a particular product.

A traditional all-purpose cleaner is designed to lift dirt off a surface. While many germs will be physically removed during this process (and ending your cleaning here is certainly adequate for much of the home), the all-purpose cleaner won’t get everything.

A disinfectant, on the other hand, is designed to kill bacteria, germs, etc. due to the special ingredients it contains. It is not designed to lift dirt off a surface or make it shiny like an all-purpose cleaner would.So here’s the key: if you want to clean and disinfect a surface, you need to begin by cleaning it—removing the dirt, using an all-purpose cleaner—and then apply disinfectant afterward to get rid of the bacteria. This is referred to as the “two-step” cleaning process.

And based on the results her anti-bacterial test, Annie Pryor, Biochemistry PhD, mom and germ-fighter offers:

... 3% hydrogen peroxide and the Zylast hand sanitizer seemed to do a great job. The Method All Purpose Natural Surface Cleaner wins the award for my favorite smelling cleaning product.

In order to reduce and eliminate flu and cold germs in your PSAP, you need to use anti-microbial rated disinfectants on all personal and communal surfaces that folks regularly touch. NOTE: be sure to follow the product directions for optimal results.

For more on anti-microbials, read Do antimicrobial laminates promote health in PSAPs.

Handwashing is like a "do-it-yourself" vaccine—it involves five simple and effective steps (Wet, Lather, Scrub, Rinse, Dry) you can take to reduce the spread of diarrheal and respiratory illness so you can stay healthy. Regular handwashing, particularly before and after certain activities, is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others. It's quick, it's simple, and it can keep us all from getting sick. Handwashing is a win for everyone, except the germs.

Sneeze like a vampire.

Wiki How and the CDC agree that containment is key:

For printable posters to post in your PSAP, visit the CDC's site, Preventing the Flu.

Know when to stay home, and stay home.

This is hard for a lot of folks, especially when teams depend on you. However, germs spread fast! Environmental microbiologist Kelly Reynolds at the University of Arizona in Tucson conducted an experiment in her office to track the spread of germs. Within four hours more than 50 percent of surfaces were contaminated with the virus of the sick co-worker. Yikes!

If that's not enough, 911 dispatchers might consider the implications of #2 on Forbes' Three Reasons to Stop Coming to Work Sick:

"When you don’t feel well, your thinking is muddled and even doing a mundane task can be exhausting. Not to mention that you may be taking a medication with side effects that affects your cognitive thinking or motor skills. So heading into work is probably not the best choice."

2) Keep your dispatch console clean

Don't eat at your desk.

Not only is it tempting to snack at your dispatch console, sometimes schedules make it a necessity.

Unfortunately, not only does germ transfer go up on your surface, your keyboard is likely to have a higher level of bacterial contamination than those of co-workers who aren't eating at their station. If you have access to a sealed keyboard, that helps. In either case, be sure to wipe down your

keyboard daily. And, remember, to turn it upside down and gently tap it to dislodge crumbs that may be harboring bacteria growth.