5 Germ Hot Spots Likely Lurking in Your Office

More than 10,400 cases of flu were reported last year in Montana, including 979 that required hospitalization and 79 that resulted in death, according to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.

As another flu season hits, here are some hot spots in your office where germs, including those that cause flu, may lurk:

1) Shared computers and phones. Just the number of grubby fingers touching shared surfaces such as keyboards and phones makes it hard for traditional cleansing wipes (even those with bleach) to keep up. "A computer keyboard may have as many as 200 times the bacteria on them as a toilet seat," according to HealthStatus.com.

2) Desks. Yes, your coworker's messy desk isn't just an eyesore. TotalJobs.com reports: "Surveys reveal that some typical desk items could be around seven times more contaminated than traditionally ‘dirty’ items such as toilet seats, which often get more attention for cleaning."

3) Bathrooms. Something as simple as not covering a toilet before flushing can send bacteria and germs flying up to 20 feet, according to HealthStatus.com. Even if all your coworkers are following the proper handwashing procedures, how many are recontaminating their hands and spreading germs by touching faucets and doors?

4) Door handles. Just think how many hands touch door handles after someone has eaten, sneezed, touched their face, touched a pen that someone had been chewing, touched a contaminated shared office phone—well, you get the idea.

5) Office fridge. Another high-touch area, fridges are also vulnerable to people "forgetting" about food until it's long past it's expiration date and hasty, sloppy repackaging, which could spread contaminants among containers.

Reading all this, you might get the impression that you and your coworkers are fighting an up-hill battle against germs and ickies all winter. And—let's be honest—you probably are. Losing the battle can have expensive consequences, too.

On top of problems associated with absenteeism, "presenteeism" (or workers muddling through a day at the office while sick) costs employers $160 billion a year, twice the amount associated with missed work days because of illness, according to the National Partnership.

But, BYO-Safe Environment, which is based in Billings, has a system that can disinfect your whole office (including hard-to-reach and hard-to-clean spots) with a solution that will keep killing germs, mold and mildew for weeks (and even years, depending on environmental conditions.)

BYO-Safe Environment uses an electrostatic wrap-around spray that is quicker, covers better and lasts longer than other cleaning methods, such as wiping surfaces down with bleach products. As the solution wraps around the surface, the positively-charged particles tend to be attracted to the neutral or negatively-charged surfaces and distribute themselves over them evenly. No corners are missed to become grimy breeding grounds.

It could be strong enough to break the re-contamination cycle that can fester in offices during flu season.

Want to find out more? Click the button below to learn more about BYO-Safe Environment's office services. (They can help schools, daycares, fitness centers, restaurants, hotels and medical facilities, too.)