Germiest Parts of Your Workday

If you tend to be a little cautious (perhaps even paranoid) about germs, you probably already worry about the cleanliness of things in your office, like telephones and keyboards. But a recent study found that things you may encounter before and after work may be the germiest of all.

The study found that gas pumps and corner mailboxes were germ magnets, as were ATMs and parking meters. The findings probably aren't surprising, given that all of these items tend to be touched or handled by a large number of people on a daily basis.   

And of course public restrooms also got a mention, but that's probably no surprise to anyone either.

Needless to say, this can cause some concern (or even panic) among those of us who would prefer not to share other people's germs, especially during cold and flu season. What can you do? Carry hand sanitizer with you, and wash your hands often. Some gas stations keep a stock of disposable plastic gloves near the pumps—use them if you can. 

At work, keep a supply of cleaning wipes at your desk, and wipe down your phone and computer keyboard frequently.

Do you worry about coming in contact with germy surfaces throughout the day? If so, what actions do you take to protect yourself?

Image courtesy of SappyMooseTree