SPECIAL FEATURE
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.”
Here is the LeaseVan.co.uk advice:
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.
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.
2. Wipe surfaces regularly 6. Try to minimise travel
with unwell people
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. 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.
3. Wear gloves when filling up 7. Catch coughs and sneezes,
but not in your hands
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.
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.
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.
66
MAR/APR 2020
locksmithjournal.co.uk
Issue Takeover
Magazine Sponsor