How to Stay Safe and Healthy During the Coronavirus Outbreak

There is only really one story making the headlines now: the coronavirus outbreak. As the virus continues to spread, it’s really important that we all take precautionary measures to keep ourselves and our families well.

Here are our top tips for keeping you and your family safe and healthy during this outbreak.

Wash your hands

You’re probably fed up of hearing this, but washing your hands is the number one thing you can do to reduce your risk of catching a bug. Wash your hands with soap and water (or alcohol-based hand gel if you’re on the go) thoroughly for at least 20 seconds. Make sure you wash your hands after using the bathroom, and before preparing or eating food.

When it comes to getting kids to wash their hands, wash your hands with them and make it part of your routine. For young children, you can encourage them to sing a song and tell them to keep washing their hands until the end of the song.

Stop touching your face

You’ve heard this advice too, and you’ve probably never realised how much you actually touch your face, until now! If you pick up the virus on your hands then you touch your face, germs can enter your body via your eyes, nose, and mouth. This is why washing your hands is so important.

Wear a mask to reduce risks

Before putting on a mask, clean hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. Cover mouth and nose with mask and make sure there are no gaps between your face and the mask. Avoid touching the mask while using it; if you do, clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.

Try to avoid close contact with anyone who is ill

Like many viruses, the coronavirus can be spread by sneezing and coughing, so try to avoid close contact with people who are ill, even if their symptoms seem to be mild. If it’s a member of your family, try to isolate them in another room, and don’t share towels, bedding, cups, glasses, or cutlery.

Clean surfaces in your home regularly

Many people realise that viruses can be spread by coughs and sneezes, but they can also live for days on surfaces, so disinfect door handles, worktops, light switches, and other frequently touched surfaces regularly.

Get clued up on the symptoms of coronavirus

We are just coming out of cold and flu season, and many people can still feel rundown at this time of the year, but it still pays to be vigilant about potential symptoms of the coronavirus. Most people will get mild to moderate symptoms like a runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat, fever, and a general feeling of not being well, but older people, and those with underlying health conditions and weak immune systems can become more seriously ill and suffer from a high fever, cough with mucus, shortness of breath, chest pain or tightness, and even pneumonia and bronchitis.

Cover your mouth when you cough

If you are coughing and sneezing, make sure you cover your mouth or nose with a tissue, or cough into your elbow. Throw the tissue in the bin immediately and wash your hands.

We hope these tips have been a helpful reminder for you all!

Stay safe and healthy!