Routine cleaning and disinfection is a critical control point in preventing and controlling the occurrence and spread of infection. Some germs can survive for long periods of time on dry surfaces such as table tops, door handles, sporting equipment etc. Daily cleaning and disinfection should occur in your camp, with a noted increase in these activities during outbreak situations. Sanitizing solutions should be prepared and used appropriately to help ensure maximum disinfection effectiveness is achieved. Staff should be aware of when and under what conditions they should be using disinfectants and how to properly prepare these solutions to reach appropriate sanitizing strengths.
All chemicals, soaps, detergents, laundry supplies etc. must be stored safely out of the reach of children. Pay special attention to chemicals that may be toxic or flammable.
See – Prepare Sanitizing Solutions
Clean: The removal of visible dirt and organic matter from surfaces using soap and water. Cleaning does not kill micro-organisms.
Disinfection: The intermediate measure that kills or destroys most disease-producing micro-organisms and viruses. Disinfectants are classified as high level, intermediate level, and low level.
Sanitizing: Reduces the level of micro-organisms present by significant numbers, or to acceptable levels. Sanitation can be accomplished by using a low-level disinfectant.
Hard-Surface Disinfectant (Low-Level Disinfection): A disinfectant that kills most vegetative bacteria and viruses.
