In the Kitchen
- infections can spread via contaminated food, dirty surfaces and poor personal hygiene

Food Hygiene is very important at home. Everyone should be aware of the correct methods for cleaning, cooking and handling food in the Kitchen environment.

There are only a small number of factors related to Food Handling which can be held responsible for diseases spread by contaminated food (foodborne diseases).

These can be summarised as: 

• preparation of food several hours prior to consumption, combined with its storage at temperatures which favour growth of pathogenic bacteria and/or formation of toxins;
• insufficient cooking or reheating of food to reduce or eliminate pathogens;
• cross contamination; and
• people with poor personal hygiene handling the food.
• preparation of food several hours prior to consumption, combined with its storage at temperatures which favour growth of pathogenic bacteria and/or formation of toxins;
• insufficient cooking or reheating of food to reduce or eliminate pathogens;
• cross contamination; and
• people with poor personal hygiene handling the food.

The World Health Organisation responded to these errors by releasing a guide to help people through these common errors. This guide is known as the "Ten Golden Rules".

How to AvoidTheBugs in the kitchen: Follow the WHOs Ten Golden Rules!

Ten Golden Rules

1. Choose foods processed for safety
2. Cook food thoroughly
3. Eat cooked foods immediately
4. Store cooked foods carefully
5. Reheat cooked foods thoroughly
6. Avoid contact between raw foods and cooked foods
7. Wash hands repeatedly
8. Keep all kitchen surfaces meticulously clean
9. Protect foods from insects, rodents, and other animals
10. Use safe water

In the Toilet/Bathroom
- infections can spread via dirty bathrooms and poor personal hygiene

The bathroom/toilet can be the dirtiest and most dangerous room in your house if it is not cleaned and maintained properly. Moisture, dirt, bacteria, and fungi can build up in large quantities, becoming a health hazard to everyone who uses it. The Bugs that build up can also spread to other parts of your house.

Personal hygiene plays a huge part in improving bathroom hygiene. Peoples mouths and hands are breeding grounds for bacteria, just like the bathroom. Toothbrushes should never be shared, since infection can spread very quickly if they are; they should always be replaced after three months.

Hands should be washed thoroughly each time the bathroom is used. Germs spread quickly by touch. Was hands with warm, soapy water or anti-bacterial hand sanitiser after using the toilet. Educate young children early about the importance of toilet hygiene.

Ensure that communal towels are regularly washed and changed. All house members should use their own bath towels, which should also be washed and changed regularly. Ensure that they get the opportunity to dry after use; the longer they remain wet, the more germs will collect on the towel.

Just like the kitchen, all bathroom surfaces should be cleaned regularly. These include the door handles, mirrors, toilets, showers, baths, taps, sinks and floors.

Be especially careful when cleaning the toilet, especially if a family member is sick. All toilet parts should be cleaned regularly including the seat, rim, lid, bowl and flushing handle. Always wipe the toilet seat with tissue before and after using.

Ensure shower curtains have the opportunity to dry properly; preventing buildup of mold and mildew. Pathogenic bacteria commonly found in the bathroom would include Searratia marcescens, E. coli, and other Faecal Coliforms (bacteria that live in the gut) et al.  

How to AvoidTheBugs in the bathroom:

• Keep the bathroom clean and dry
• Never share toothbrushes or razors
• Flush the toilet with the lid down
• Occasionally clean showerheads (soak overnight in vinegar or commercial cleaner) 
• Use toilet paper or paper towels to wipe up spills and water

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