Your Best Defence Is You – Prevent Flu Spreading in the Workplace

Chances are that the whole office is back in today and that on the way to work this morning many of them dropped the kids back to school for the first day of term. Traditionally, the first full week of January is when businesses get back into full swing and life returns to post-Christmas normality.  That is unless someone in your office has a cold or the flu, in which case you may see half of your workforce fall susceptible to a back-to-work-bug! Thankfully the spread of colds and flu can be easily prevented, with just a few simple steps from the Irish Red Cross.

Wash Your Hands Washing your hands is especially important before and after you have contact with people who are sick. Take an extra few seconds to wash your hands thoroughly with hot water and soap rather than running them under the tap as you dash to your next meeting.  Cover Your Mouth Help prevent germs spreading by covering your mouth with you cough or sneeze. Use a scarf, mask, tissue or handkerchief or use your sleeve. Keep Your Distance If you/your colleague have a cold or flu…stay 1.5 metres away when talking to people Do not shake hands or kiss people as a greeting Separate Your Sick If you/your colleague are sick try and work from home to prevent spreading the cold or flu to others. Family members who are sick should be moved into one room or corner of the house. Use only one caregiver, preferably a family member not at high risk. This action helps to limit the spread of the illness within the family The caregiver must use safety measures such as ventilating the room and house and other colleagues/family members should monitor themselves daily for fever and cough Give people who are sick enough fluids such as water, juice, soup, etc. or breast milk for infants and give nutritious food Young children, pregnant women and people who have another disease can be at more risk. They should therefore seek medical care if they get sick Dispose of your Waste Make sure you throw out used tissues properly by placing them in a bag and sealing it or flushing them away.  Try to avoid using the office bin for used tissues. Click to download your Irish Red Cross free poster