by Alexius Tan

Created on: June 04, 2008   Last Updated: June 15, 2009

Keeping germs away seems like a simple task, as long things are kept clean and free from dirt, it is free from germs.

This is not true; Germs are microscopic and despite their small size, they can be resilient organisms that only under certain extreme conditions can an environment be free of them.

However, not all germs are harmful, some germs live with we humans as their host. What we should be wary off are those virus-carrying germ cells. You can get sick from germ cells that carry viruses.

To avoid getting sick from the germs, these are the simple steps you can do:

A) Bring sanitary wipe out with you always.
This can help to prevent unnecessary contact with germs. This is especially so when you are shopping at a supermarket with the in-store trolley (shopping cart). These trolleys are good germs breeding grounds; the last few customers might have placed packs of meats on the trolley.

Due to limitations in fresh food packing technology, the exterior of these packed foods might have contacted with the raw meat, or fluids from the meat. When these packed food are placed on the trolley, the fluids stay on the trolley. With prolonged exposure in the open environment, germs proliferate at a faster rate. These trolleys are 'recycled' back into the trolley bays without any washing.

With a sanitary wipe, we can wipe the trolley before our use.
Most importantly, wipe the handles first. We do not know how the last user has used it and the safest way to keep the germs away is to clean it when you are unsure.

When taking a public transport, avoid touching the handles or poles without cleaning. If touching them is unavoidable, avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth during the journey. Wash or clean your hands promptly after alighting.

B) Wash your hands and gargle mouth after a trip outside.
This gives further protection against germs; the washing will remove some of the germs that stayed on your hands due to unavoidable contact on public transport or public places.

Germs may be found in the air (airborne germs); air outdoors may be fresher, but the germs may also be present. Germs and bacteria may be air-borne, the can travel around and stick on dusts particles and may stay in our nose or mouth as we breathe and talk. Gargling our mouths can remove such germs.

C) Wash clothes and washer with antibacterial chemicals.
Our clothes can be perfect breeding grounds for germs, especially when the material is natural (e.g. cotton). Our sweat on these clothing and

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