Germs lurk in surprising places, just waiting to be touched so they can hitch a ride on your hands. Germs are spread by hand contact. You pick up germs that can make you sick in places you hadn’t even thought about. Until now.
Your kitchen sink, for example, is germier than your garbage can. And the portable toilets in public places are cleaner than outdoor playground equipment and picnic tables.
Dr. Charles Gerba, professor of environmental microbiology at the University of Arizona, and the makers of Purell Instant Hand Sanitizer, have compiled a list of the 99 germiest places so you can be aware – and take matters into your own hands.
Washing your hands with soap and water is your best defense against germs. And when you can’t wash your hands, carry along an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
And now for the list of the 99 places to watch out for germs:
Commuting
1. Fare-card machine keypads
2. Turnstiles
3. Escalator handrails
4. Handrails of stairs
5. Subway car handles and straps
6. Subway seats and poles
7. Bus seats and handles
8. Revolving door handles
9. Gas pump keypads
10. Gas pump nozzles
11. Car door handles and locks
12. Dashboard surfaces and buttons
13. Toll booth tickets and currency
At Work
14. Computer keyboard
15. Computer mouse
16. Photocopy machine keypads
17. Fax machine keypads
18. Calculator keypads
19. Printer buttons and trays
20. Staplers and other office supplies
21. Doorknobs and handles
22. Light switches
23. Elevator buttons
24. Handrails of stairs
25. Office and conference room phones
26. Laptop computer keypads
27. Vending machine keypads
28. Staff room refrigerator handle
29. Staff room microwave handle
On Vacation / Traveling
30. People-mover handrails
31. Pay phone buttons
32. Pay phone receivers
33. Vending machine keypads
34. Currency at fast food restaurants
35. ATM machine keypads
36. Plastic security buckets at airports
37. Airplane seat rests
38. Airplane blankets and pillows
39. In-flight magazines
40. Hotel room key cards
41. Hotel room remote controls
42. Hotel room A/C controls
At the Gym
43. Treadmill keypads
44. Elliptical machine keypads and handles
45. Stepper machine keypads and handles
46. Stationary bike keypads and handles
47. Rowing machine handles
48. TV remote controls
Working Out / Weight Room
49. Abdominal equipment handles and headrests
50. Weight machine handles
51. Free weights and barbells
52. Exercise and stretching mats
53. Medicine balls
54. Jump rope handles
At Home
55. Computer keyboards and mouse
56. Toys for pets
57. Remote control devices
58. Thermostats
59. Light switches
60. Doorknobs and handles
61. Kitchen countertops
62. Kitchen sponges
63. Refrigerator door handles
64. Oven door handles
65. Microwave door handles
66. Stairway railings
Shopping
67. Shopping cart handles
68. Shopping basket handles
69. Bulk-food scoop handles
70. Tongs for baked goods
71. Currency
72. Credit cards
73. ATM machine keypads
74. Stair handrails
75. Escalator handrails
76. Elevator buttons
77. Public rest room surfaces
78. Hand soap dispensers
79. Paper towel dispensers
80. Bathroom door handles
At School
81. School bus seats and handles
82. Shared toys
83. Library books
84. Crayons
85. Mats
86. Cafeteria trays
87. Bathroom surfaces
88. Doorknobs and handles
89. Playground equipment
90. Vending machine keypads
91. Sports/gym equipment
At Movie Theaters, Sports Events, Clubs
92. Seats
93. Bar surfaces
94. Arm rests
95. Condiment/napkin area surfaces
96. Tickets
97. Video game controls
98. Pinball machine buttons
99. Cigarette lighters
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