http://CBAClientEngagement.com/blog/categoryname_home-safety/sort_entrydatetime-desc/ The following is a guest post from Coldwell Banker Blue Matter Written by Laura McHolm, Co-Founder of NorthStar Moving.Just a few short weeks ago, “spring cleaning” meant taking advantage of the longer days to dust off your home and make it nice and shiny for the warmer months. Today, we’re living a new reality.  The COVID-19 pandemic has brought us all together. We are sharing the collective experience of being at home, doing our utmost to stay healthy and making sure we are doing our part to flatten the curve to keep entire communities safe. Since many of us are at home full-time, it is vital that we ensure our environment is safe and virus-free. Staying home and staying clean & disinfected is how we are going to flatten the curve and keep us all safe.The media has been sharing daily guidelines and our inboxes have been filled with long messages about what businesses and services are doing to protect us. It is overwhelming! So, let’s throw out the complicated and keep it simple. Here are the 5 things you can do to help keep the coronavirus from living in your home: 1. Supplies: Before you get started, give your cleaning supplies an overhaul. Spring cleaning in 2020 requires different equipment to keep your home virus-free:Gloves: Disposable gloves are recommended, but if you don’t have any just be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before and after you clean. And, remember not to touch your face. Gloves should be discarded after each cleaning. Wash your hands before gloves are applied and immediately after gloves are removed.No more brushes & mops: Brushes and mops might spread the contagions. You can use a cloth or towel if you wash them in hot water and soap when you are finished.Disinfecting wipes & spray (at least 70% alcohol, most EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective.) 2. Clean AND Disinfect: Cleaning is the act of removing contaminants from a surface. Disinfecting is the use of chemicals to kill germs on surfaces.First, clean surfaces by wiping them with soapy water or a cleaning spray and a hand towel.Second, disinfect with disinfecting wipes or disinfectant spray. DO NOT dry the disinfectant with a towel, let it air dry. This is important when fully disinfecting! 3. High-touch Surfaces: The CDC recommends cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces daily in your home. These surfaces include: Door knobsLight switchesRefrigerator and microwave doorsTV remoteElectronics (keyboards, phone etc.)Counters and table tops where you cook and eatToilet & faucet handles 4. Laundry: For clothing, towels, linens and other items that go in the laundry it is important to take these extra steps:Do not shake dirty laundry. This will minimize the possibility of dispersing virus through the air.Use the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely.Clean and disinfect hampers according to guidance above for surfaces.Wear disposable gloves when handling dirty laundry from an ill person and then discard or launder the gloves after each use. 5. Enter with Care: Now that your home is disinfected, when you return home from  getting essentials: take off your shoes, hang up your coat (away from other clothing) and, immediately, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. Also, consider changing your clothes into clean ones.Follow these 5 steps religiously to drastically reduce the risk of COVID-19 living in your home. Together, we will get through this uncertain time. Cleaning and disinfecting will help you be in control. And, the good news is we have the time at home to do it. Stay clean, stay calm and stay kind!Laura McHolm is an organizational, moving & storage expert and co-founder of NorthStar Moving Company. NorthStar Moving Company is an award winning, “A+” rated company, which specializes in providing eco-luxury moving and storage services. www.northstarmoving.com http://CBAClientEngagement.com/blog/925/spring-cleaning-2020-=-disinfecting/ Thu, 02 Apr 2020 03:52:59 -0500 Hurricane season is upon residents in coastal areas around the country, but there are months to go before season’s end. There’s still time to prepare!Your short list should include the following tasks:1. Assemble an emergency kit. Set aside provisions of non-perishable food and water, a battery-powered radio, a first-aid kit, a flashlight (with extra batteries), hand tools and a whistle.2. Gas up. Fill up your tank, provided it is still safe to travel ahead of the storm.3. Set a plan for your household. Take time to discuss a communication and/or evacuation plan with the members of your household. Decide how best to contact each other in the event of a power outage. Charge all mobile devices—and keep them charged—in the time leading up to the storm.4. Know your local disaster protocols. Familiarize yourself with your area’s evacuation routes, shelters and any other contingency plans—you may not be able to access this information once a storm hits.5. Install a backup power source. Set up a portable or whole-home standby generator to keep lights on and necessary appliances operational. Never run a portable generator inside the home, even in an attached garage—this can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.Source: Generac Power Systems, Inc. http://CBAClientEngagement.com/blog/52/hurricane-safety/ Thu, 30 Jun 2016 12:00:00 -0500