Functionality can be just as trendy as aesthetics in a home, which is where technology and design can often wed. As the pandemic has made homeowners rethink many of their living spaces, home hygiene and infection prevention are at the top of the list. In an article from Today, Dr. Ginny Boos, director of infection prevention at Saint Luke’s Health System in Kansas City, MI, outlines four of the best and smartest investments for homeowners to make with home design and technology.
Use a mudroom or an alternate area by the door to remove shoes.
While the germs tracked in from outside aren’t going to be responsible for COVID-19, they can still make others sick. E.coli, mold, and allergens all piggyback in on the dirt from the outside. Couple that with small children who crawl around on the ground, sticking their hands in their mouths, and there can be trouble. And while anti-microbial mats are offered by a variety of companies, the best solution still is to immediately take off your shoes.
Have a sink ready by the door.
As hand hygiene is what all the experts say is best at prevent the spread of germs, it makes sense that having a sink on hand would be important. If a mudroom is already present within a home, consider adding a handwashing station nearby for easy access. As everyone is often influenced by the path of least resistance, the surest way to getting a habit like handwashing to stick is making easy to do.
Install automatic faucets and other touchless technology.
Boos recommends installing touchless technology within the home. Seen in airports, restaurants, and businesses, automatic faucets and toilets can be good additions to hygiene focused home. The less people touching a surface means the less germs being transferred from place to place. Regular maintenance is still recommended, however.
Improve indoor air quality
Finally, Boos stresses the importance of ensuring good indoor air quality. Of course, COVID-19 has been shown to spread quickly in areas with poor ventilation, but more than that: indoor air is more polluted than outdoor air. A purifier with a HEPA air filter can remove 99.97% of particles (including allergens), however, Boos stresses, it’s worth making sure the air is cleaned up beforehand so the purifier can better do its job.
