Did you know that petrol pumps, on average, have 11,000 times more germs than a household toilet seat? That’s certainly enough to get you started on a stricter hygiene habit for your future fuel runs!
As a driver, visiting the petrol station is a routine part of daily life, just as it is for thousands of other drivers! It’s no wonder that studies have shown high-contact points, such as fuel pumps, to be a hotbed for germs! Here are some ways to reduce your risk of exposure to germs at petrol stations or electric charging points.
Barriers Up
Fuel pumps and charging stations are high-traffic areas, which means they are most likely to harbour germs – lots of them! To prevent catching or transferring germs, protection is the best solution. While disposable gloves provide excellent protection, they aren’t the most convenient (or environmentally friendly) solution unless you carry a box in your car. The next best alternative is to cover the nozzle or charging cable with a tissue before handling it, which helps minimise direct contact with contaminated surfaces. Should you think tissues are still environmentally not friendly, use wet tissues that are responsibly manufactured and biogradeable to wipe either the nozzle/charging cable or your hands after touching the nozzle/charging cable.
Always Sanitise
As we learned during the pandemic, hand sanitiser is a lifesaver when you don’t have the option of washing your hands right away. It’s always a good idea to keep a bottle that contains at least 60% alcohol in your car for you to quickly clean up after visiting the petrol pump or charging station. This simple product can help kill most germs and keeps them from spreading to other surfaces inside your car, and around you and the people and things you interact with.
Inside Job
Even though you’ve sanitised your hands, germs may still linger – you wouldn’t want to transfer them to your car! It may sound overkill, but consider wiping down your door handle, gear stick, and steering wheel with disinfectant wipes after fuelling or charging.
You can also do a professional car interior cleaning periodically by AA Singapore, killing bacteria and dirt https://aas.com.sg/motoring-services/anti-bacterial-treatment/
No Eating or Drinking
Do not eat in your vehicle, as food scraps or drink drops will invite bacteria growth and insects.
No Contact, Please
With cashless payments becoming the norm, be cashless ready by inputting your bank cards into your mobile phones. Switching to contactless payment is a smart choice as it reduces the need to touch payment terminals or handle cash, which are germ hotspots. Remember to wipe your mobile phone too.
Home Safe
Even with all these precautions, the best way to keep germs at bay is by thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water when you get home. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends scrubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds, paying attention to the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. This will remove any germs that may have hitched a ride during your visit to the petrol station or EV charging point.
A Little Goes a Long Way
Staying germ-free after visiting a petrol station or EV charging point doesn’t require drastic measures – a few simple steps can greatly reduce your risk of exposure! In a world where health is top priority, these small actions can make a big difference in keeping yourself and others safe.
Get an anti-microbial disinfectant spray that coats surfaces germ-free for 30 days, for better peace of mind https://aas.com.sg/product/brprotect-30-days-anti-microbial-disinfectant-spray-500ml/
