How to Keep the Flu out of Your Community

The sniffles and coughs you hear are a reminder that flu season will be quickly upon us. And with a high concentration of residents living in apartments or multi-family housing, these buildings can be on the front line as the flu virus weaves its way through a community.

Experts say that flu viruses are typically spread by droplets that come from coughing, sneezing or talking which come into contact with people within six feet. But the flu can also be contracted by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching the mouth or nose, which stresses the importance of ensuring common areas are properly cleaned and maintained to avoid creating a launch pad for viruses.

Taking a hands-on approach to education, creating awareness and taking advantage of an opportunity can help minimize a flu outbreak at apartments, businesses or facilities.

Here some tips to curtail flu season by delivering a healthier, cleaner property:

SURFACE CLEANING THE “HOT SPOTS” – Whether you outsource a cleaning crew or hire from the inside, have your cleaning staff keep up on door knobs, handles, elevator buttons and other frequently touched surfaces. At Planned Companies, our associates are aware and trained on making sure that these popular surface areas stay clean as often as possible.

EDUCATION IS KEY – Share informational brochures or flyers that offer beneficial health habits and how to avoid the spread of germs. Get ahead of the flu season and start distributing these materials via email or in common areas during the fall. Creating a buzz about staying healthy that gets residents talking will spread just as fast as germs.

STAY GERM-FREE – Install antibacterial stations or simply place hand sanitizer at the front desk and in the lobby. Schedule thorough and regular cleaning of common areas and have your cleaning company check the ventilation systems on older apartments that sometimes share airspace from unit to unit. We also recommend keeping an adequate supply of tissues, soap, paper towels, alcohol-based hand rubs, and disposable wipes.

While the general public may refer to it as flu “season,” it can never hurt to take certain precautions throughout the year. Things like keeping popular surfaces clean or offering hand sanitizer at your front desk can be a great preventative option. It also can help put your residents’ minds at ease knowing that they are walking through a clean property.