INSTALLERSUPPORT
Nine
Hygiene
Tips for
Drivers
» UK MOTORISTS HAVE BEEN
offered guidance for minimising health risks
and maintaining good hygiene levels when
driving cars and vans.
Motoring experts from LeaseVan.co.uk have
released nine pieces of advice to help drivers
maintain good health and personal hygiene
while in their vehicles.
From what to keep stashed in the glovebox
to the steps vehicle owners should take to
minimise the spread of germs, following the
guidance could help Brits who spend a lot of
time behind the wheel steer clear of conditions
in their car or van that could harm their
health.
A spokesperson for LeaseVan.co.uk said:
“There’s plenty of advice out there for keeping
your home or workplace hygienic.
“But there isn’t for the place where many
Brits probably spend the third largest amount
of time – their vehicles.
“Drivers who are on the roads daily for
significant periods will be familiar with the
need to stay both active and well rested.
“Wise motorists typically factor in time for
stretching their legs and napping when going
on particularly long journeys.
“But stiff joints could be the least of your
worries if you don’t take sufficient steps to
prevent potentially harmful bacteria building
up and spreading in your vehicle.
“Catching an avoidable cold or worse could
seriously impact drivers work and family
lives.
“So, we’ve put together a series of nine top
tips to help motorists steer clear of possible
illness.”
66 » M AY 2020 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M
1. KEEP ALCOHOL GEL
IN THE VEHICLE
Keeping an antibacterial hand sanitiser gel
in the glove box of your vehicle, often made
from alcohol, allows you to maintain proper
hand hygiene and clean any dirt from your
fingers before they touch anything. 6. TRY TO MINIMISE TRAVEL
WITH UNWELL PEOPLE
The confined environment of a car or van
can be a prime location for catching illnesses
off friends and family, so drivers should usually
try to steer clear of offering lifts to anyone they
know is under the weather.
2. WIPE SURFACES REGULARLY
To stop bacteria building up, to be touched
or breathed in, surfaces including the steering
wheel, gear stick, door handles and dashboard
should be wiped clean frequently – especially if
the vehicle is shared between multiple drivers. 7. CATCH COUGHS AND SNEEZES,
BUT NOT IN YOUR HANDS
Drivers should cough and sneeze into a
disposable tissue, their inner elbow or inside
the collar of their shirt, rather than into their
hands or completely unprotected – both of
which can spread harmful bacteria.
It’s never recommended to take a hand off
the steering wheel for longer than necessary
or if road conditions mean doing so could be
dangerous though.
3. WEAR GLOVES WHEN FILLING UP
Most petrol stations provide free disposable
globes, which drivers can take advantage of to
prevent any grime from getting under their
finger nails when refuelling their vehicles.
4. HOOVER THE
FOOTWELLS OFTEN
Just like a doormat at home, the footwell
of a car will have all sorts of dirt and bacteria
walked into it, which will grow and could
prove problematic if not cleaned away
regularly.
Don’t simply mask damp or mouldy carpet
smells with an air freshener and hope the
problem goes away.
5. ALLOW FRESH AIR IN
Breathing in too much recycled air doesn’t
help your respiratory system, so drivers on
long journeys should wind their windows
down occasionally to allow fresh air to
circulate through the vehicle – even if it’s a bit
chilly outside.
8. CARRY MOUTHWASH
AND FLOSS
Keeping a small bottle of mouthwash
and a roll of floss in the vehicle’s glovebox
can allow you to keep on top of vital oral
hygiene, particularly after eating, even when a
toothbrush and sink is inaccessible.
9. EAT WELL EVEN DURING
LONG ROAD TRIPS
Your body needs fuel to fight illnesses and
other health issues, so you should keep a stash
of daily vitamins on hand if you spend a lot of
time in your vehicle.
While on long road journeys, stay well
rested, properly hydrated and try to stick to
regular and healthy meals that give you all
the nutrients you need, rather than simply
snacking on fatty and sugary foods.