Public toilets have a very important function. However, these sanitation facilities are often easily dirty because they are used by many people, so they risk becoming a means of spreading germs. In order not to contract the disease, you need to know safe tips when using public toilets.
Public toilets are facilities used to urinate and defecate. These facilities can generally be found in shopping centers to tourist attractions.
Because it is used by many people, do not rule out the possibility of many viruses and germs hidden in this place. The reason is, not everyone has a clean habit when using the toilet, for example not flushing the toilet or not washing hands after using the toilet.
Therefore, it is important for you to know what are the risks of using public toilets and how to use public toilets safely to avoid these risks.
Health Risks in Public Toilets
Many people consider the toilet seat to be the dirtiest place in a public toilet. In fact, there are several other parts of public toilets that you need to pay attention to, such as the toilet lever, sink faucet, soap holder, and toilet door handle.
Unlike toilets, which are regularly flushed and cleaned by local janitors, these parts of the toilet often go unnoticed and are cleaned less often so that they become a habitat for various types of bacteria and viruses that cause disease.
Your risk of exposure to these bacteria and viruses will be higher if you don't wash your hands immediately after using a public toilet. In addition, you can also be more susceptible to infection with germs in the toilet if your immune system is weak.
Tips for Safe Using Public Toilets
To be safer for your health, try to follow some of these tips when using public toilets:
1. Avoid touching objects or parts of public toilets directly
Try not to touch the surfaces of doorknobs, toilet seats, toilet levers, sink faucets, and soap dispensers directly.
You can use a tissue or handkerchief to avoid direct contact with these objects. In addition, you can also use your elbows or shoulders to push and open the toilet door.
2. Put the luggage on the door hanger
Hang your bags and belongings on the hangers behind the door. Do not place it on the toilet floor because the floor can be the dirtiest place in a public toilet.
3. Clean the toilet seat before use
If you are not sure about the cleanliness of the toilet seat, you can first clean it with liquid or wet wipes that contain antiseptic. You can also use a simple method, which is to place a sheet of tissue on the toilet seat.
Some people choose to 'sit floating' on the toilet. This position resembles a sitting position, but the buttocks don't touch the toilet seat. However, this method that is considered 'more hygienic' can actually put pressure on the pelvic muscles, thus disrupting the urination process.
4. Avoid rinsing the toilet in a sitting position
The spread of germs in the toilet can also occur when you rinse the toilet. To prevent these germs from entering the intimate organs, avoid rinsing the toilet while you are still sitting on it.
It would be better if you clean the intimate organs first after urinating, then you rinse the toilet before going out of the toilet.
5. Bring your own toilet equipment
Often public toilets do not provide tissue and hand soap. In fact, these two objects are very important to prevent the spread of germs from the toilet.
To anticipate this, always carry liquid soap in a small bottle, tissue, and hand sanitizer. You can put the equipment in a small bag or plastic bag ziplock.
6. Wash your hands properly
Washing your hands with running water and soap is an important step you should take when using a public restroom. Unfortunately, this habit is still often underestimated or not done properly.
So that your hands are always clean, especially after using the toilet, it is important to wash your hands properly and properly through the following steps:
- Wet hands with clean running water, then use soap.
- Rub palms, backs of hands, nails, and between fingers. Do it for at least 20 seconds.
- Rinse your hands thoroughly, then dry them with a tissue.
- Close the faucet with toilet paper to prevent germs from sticking to clean hands.
- Close the faucet using your elbow, if you want to dry your hands using a tumble dryer.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, you must also always wear a mask and apply physical distancing at least 1 meter with other toilet users. Because the Corona virus can survive in the air, you should also not use the toilet for long, especially if the public toilet is crowded.
The various tips above can not only protect yourself from various diseases when using public toilets, but also prevent other people from contracting various diseases due to unclean toilets. Therefore, it is fitting for us to get used to maintaining the cleanliness of public toilets.
If you experience stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting, this could be due to a germ infection through your hands that are not washed clean after using public toilets or touching objects in public places. Check with a doctor so that treatment can be carried out according to the cause.
