How to Stay Safe In Vehicle During The Pandemic
With winter right around the corner, and the pandemic showing no signs of slowing down, it is important to remain extra vigilant and stay safe. While owning and using a car definitely lowers your risk of infection, it is easy to be lured into a false sense of security and become complacent when it comes to regular cleaning and sanitizing the interiors.
Even if you’ve been lucky enough to purchase a brand new car via New Roads Auto Loans you’ll still need to disinfect.
With infections on the rise and many asymptomatic, there is simply no way of knowing if you or a passenger didn’t bring it into the vehicle. As viruses can survive on surface areas for many hours, it is now more crucial than ever to take the time to sanitize your vehicle to protect yourself and others during this flu season.
Maintain social distance
Even though a car is your own private vehicle and, generally, you’ll only be in the car with someone you already know, that’s not to say that there still aren’t risks for transmission. Social distancing is key for your safety when you have to share your vehicle with others, and you should avoid all physical contact with your passengers. Furthermore, you should wear a facemask at all times if you are driving with people who aren’t members of your daily household.
You can never be too sure, especially if someone is carrying the virus and is asymptomatic but doesn’t know it. A mask will protect you should know anyone else cough or sneeze, but it will also protect your passengers from you if you are infected but aren’t aware of it yet. Lastly, ask any passengers who will be in the car with you to sit in the back seat to maintain some form of social distancing to protect the both of you, and make sure to follow any guidelines specifically related to driving during this time.
Use the correct cleaning equipment to disinfect
If you wash your car frequently, you might think you have nothing to worry about, but don’t be lured into a false sense of security. Not all cleaning products will actually disinfect and eliminate bacteria and viruses; therefore, it is important to use the correct equipment.
While soap and water will remove viruses, it will not kill them, which is why it is essential to use cleaning products that specifically sanitize and disinfect. Try to avoid ammonia-based products that are harsh and could damage the materials in the interior of your car, and look for disinfectants containing Isopropyl alcohol instead. This ingredient is safe to use on most vehicle surfaces and is also a very effective disinfectant.
When cleaning, make sure to spend extra time in all the little knocks and crevices that could easily harbor bacteria as well as frequently touched areas, such as the steering wheel and gearstick – these tend to be some of the dirtiest places in the entire vehicle. Remove all residue with a clean, soft cloth and dispose of your materials quickly and thoroughly. Remember to give your products some time to work effectively and take full effect as different products require different application times.
Stay Safe In Vehicle During The Pandemic: Maintain
After you have thoroughly cleaned and disinfected your car, it is important to maintain it. Please wash your hands as soon as you have finished cleaning and always ensure that they are washed before entering and after vacating your vehicle to reduce the virus’s spread.
It is also a great idea to keep hand sanitizer in your car at all times for you and your passengers to always keep your hands clean and reduce the spread of possible infection. If you anyone with confirmed or suspected Covid-19 has been in your car, remember to disinfect your interior immediately as viruses can survive on surfaces for several hours, and call your doctor just in case.
