| Bacteria | | | | We also need to learn how to handle our foods |
| We all know that most bacteria are not good for us. | | | | properly. |
| In fact, bacteria are those microorganisms that cause | | | | Once we get home from the grocery store, all |
| germs and viruses to attack our bodies. | | | | refrigerated and freezer items should be put away |
| For this reason, it is only logically that we try to avoid | | | | immediately. |
| bacteria as much as possible. This means we need to | | | | You should use separate cutting boards for meats |
| clean our homes better. We need to wash our hands | | | | and vegetables (even though you clean them). |
| more. Plus, we definitely need to be careful in the | | | | You should wash all of your fresh fruits and |
| kitchen as we prepare foods and clean. | | | | vegetables. |
| We also need to learn all we can about how to keep | | | | We should make sure that we do not reuse a knife |
| from spreading this bacteria from person to person | | | | or other kitchen utensil that came in contact with any |
| and place to place. In learning how to do this, we can | | | | uncooked meats before washing. |
| also learn the easiest practices in doing so. | | | | Yet, the kitchen is not the only one room in your |
| First, let's start with the easiest task we all can do, | | | | home that contains bacteria and it lurks everywhere |
| wash our hands. | | | | in every corner. For this reason, we should be aware |
| This may sound easy enough, at first. But most of us | | | | of some additional hiding places for bacteria that |
| are not washing our hands correctly and we are not | | | | most of us may never even consider. |
| washing our hands for the amount of time we should. | | | | Our toothbrush harbors tons of bacteria. Think about |
| Getting our hands wet with water is not enough to | | | | it. You use it at least twice a day to remove bacteria |
| kill bacteria. We need to be using soap. We don't | | | | and germs from your mouth (hopefully). Isn't this |
| have to buy fancy soaps. We don't even have to | | | | reason enough for it to be filled with bacteria. You |
| use antibacterial soaps. But we need to be using a | | | | could replace it weekly. Yet, if you want to save |
| soap of some sort. | | | | money by some ordinary hydrogen peroxide. Fill a |
| Next, we need to make sure that soap gets in | | | | cup about half full with it and fill the half with water. |
| between our fingers and around the beds of our | | | | Now soak your toothbrush for a few minutes. Rinse |
| fingernails. Women, who have long fingernails, should | | | | and reuse. |
| also wash underneath them. | | | | Did you ever notice a strange smell coming from |
| Finally, we need to wash for at least a minute, | | | | your sink drain? What you smell are bad bacteria. |
| preferably two minutes. As we are washing, we | | | | Want to kill it without spending a lot of money? Mix |
| need to be gently rubbing our hands together with | | | | one teaspoon of bleach to a quart of water and |
| the soap and water to help loosen any bacteria that | | | | pour down that drain. Soon it will sell a lot better and |
| may be on our skin. | | | | the bacteria will be dead. |
| Hand washing is a good first step in learning how to | | | | Love your sponge or sponges? Do you use them |
| stop the spread of bacteria. Another step we should | | | | until they won't soak up anything, anymore? Then |
| do is to actually look around our home at the places | | | | you can believe that there are bacteria hiding in them. |
| that could easily be harboring bacteria germs. Some | | | | Don't worry. Just stick them in the microwave and |
| places that need to be washed regularly with a damp | | | | allow the microwave to nuke away the bacteria |
| sponge and antibacterial cleaning agents are: | | | | germs for 30 seconds. (Be sure to never put in |
| Doorknobs | | | | sponges that have metal in them and to allow the |
| The refrigerator and freezer handles | | | | plastic ones to cool before removing). To prevent |
| Faucets (sinks and tubs) | | | | fire, make sure the sponge is wet and stay close |
| The toilet handle | | | | (just in case). Yet, you should still replace them about |
| Your phone (including your cell phone) | | | | every month. |
| Computer keyboard | | | | Follow some of these simple tips and soon your |
| The Kitchen table | | | | home and life will have fewer bacteria in it, which |
| The kitchen counters | | | | may keep your healthier and happier. |
| The bathroom sink | | | | |