Some Health Tips

It has been medically discovered that dangerous germs and bacteria live on and around everything we touch, eat and drink. Let's examine some daily activities around the home which put us most at risk, and there is also some advice on what to do to stay healthy despite these unwarranted visitors.


What are germs and bacteria?
Germs and bacteria are micro-organisms and they are everywhere in large numbers. Countless number of germs and bacteria inhabit our skin ever since we are born; most of them stay harmlessly with us as long as we live! Also, in the course of our daily activities our skin picks up many other germs and bacteria from the environment which survive but do not multiply. Many are harmless but some are not, like the bacteria that cause food poisoning, cholera and typhoid.

Where do we pick up germs and bacteria?
Food/cooking environment
There are certain strains of bacteria e.g. E. coli and Salmonella, which can both cause food poisoning. They rapidly multiply in uncooked or unrefrigerated food including dirty surfaces or utensils. The good news is that all these bacteria can be killed when surfaces and utensils are kept clean, and by washing the hands before and after cooking.

Fish carries a large number of germs and bacteria before it is cooked and these are easily transferred onto hands and surfaces. Frozen chicken also harbors germs and bacteria. They can also be transferred to hands when preparing food. They are responsible for food poisoning.

Nappy change
Germs can be easily spread from the parent to child and vice-versa when changing baby’s nappy. To reduce the spread of bacteria, you should wipe down surfaces and wash your hands after nappy changing.

Outdoor activities
The garden in the home provides the ideal place for children to play and for families to relax and possibly picnic. However, the garden can increase the risk of accidents and infection. Germs and bacteria can easily be picked up from the soil in the garden and this can lead to illness.

Home/Hospital Work
The cleanest and tidiest home can harbour germs and bacteria. When we clean our homes, our hands come in contact with millions of germs, bacteria and moulds that hide in dirty washing and on surfaces. Some of these germs can cause illness.


The kitchen sink 
The kitchen sink is the habitat of millions of bacteria which usually live in the intestines of animals. These bacteria are easily transferred on to hands, cutlery and cookery which are used for eating and drinking. It is important to ensure that all surfaces in the kitchen, including the sink are kept clean always.

The bathroom 
The shower curtain in our bathrooms do harbor mould and mildew. Soap scum is also a breeding ground for germs. We should always endeavor to keep the bathroom floor and walls hygienically clean.

The toilet
This is the usual habitat for germs. It should be well ventilated. The toilet should be close always to prevent germs moving about in the air.

The hospital 
Germs and bacteria abound in hospitals. Workers and patients can transfer them very easily. To prevent infections, wash your hands before and after treating a patient, giving injections, using the toilet or blood transfusion.


How to stay clean and healthy

  • To stay clean and healthy, you have to wash your hands thoroughly with a good medicated soap especially after cleaning, gardening, handling pets, handling any garbage, before and after feeding your baby and changing nappy, before and after cooking, after going to the toilet, after blowing your nose, and before eating.
  • To reduce the risk of food poisoning, you should practice good food hygiene procedures such as:

- Allow frozen meat and poultry to thaw thoroughly before cooking.
- Do not store food while still warm.
- Handle cooked and prepared food as little as possible.
- Separate raw and cooked foods to avoid cross-contamination.


Culled and edited. Images: Google

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