These are troubled times and citizens are practicing social distancing to prevent the further spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). But once your supplies dwindle down, you need to leave the house to replenish your stocks, meaning you (and your groceries) would be exposed to all types of bacteria and viruses.

Do you know how to properly decontaminate your purchases before entering your front door?

To keep your loved ones safe and virus-free, take several minutes to decontaminate yourself and the items you bought before going inside your house.

Start the decontamination process outside your house, like on the back patio.

If there’s gate in your fence that lets you access the backyard, set up a designated decontamination area there. This gives you some privacy as you decontaminate while you’re still outside.

Safety tips while shopping

Limit your time in the store. Make a list, double-check it, and leave immediately once you’re done.

Before you head out to the store, keep these tips in mind so you can shop safely:

• Limit the number of things you touch at the store.
• One way to prevent the virus’s spread is to stay at least six feet away from other people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), six feet is generally the distance within which you can pick up coronavirus droplets through the air from someone else’s cough or sneeze.
• Use hand sanitizers or sanitizing wipes if the store is offering them at the entrance. Use hand sanitizer again before you leave the supermarket.
• Buy supplies at a time that’s less busy. Check online to see what time the store opens, and try to get there early to avoid their busy times.
• Bring hand sanitizer with you. Use it to wipe your hands and the cart before and after you shop.
• Pay using a credit or debit card so you don’t have to hand over bills or receive change.
• When paying with cards, use your own pen to sign receipts. Use a virtual payment system whenever possible to avoid direct contact with cashiers.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after shopping.

Decontaminating with disinfectants

When decontaminating your groceries with disinfectants, use products such as:

• Chlorine bleach. Most bleach is six percent, so dilute it at a ratio of 1/8 cup plus four teaspoons per gallon of water.
• A homemade natural disinfectant spray.
• Hydrogen peroxide, at least three percent.
• Isopropyl alcohol that’s at least 60 percent or higher. Don’t use denatured alcohol, which has additives that make it toxic for human contact.
• Tincture of iodine. Do take note that this product can stain.

Store the disinfectant of your choice in a spray bottle. This makes it easier to decontaminate, makes the process faster and helps reduce waste. Adjust the spray bottle for a fine mist. (Related: How long does coronavirus last on surfaces? (And how to clean and disinfect surfaces properly).)

Follow the steps below to decontaminate yourself and your groceries:

1. Spray the disinfectant all over your whole body. If you need someone else to help with the process, make sure they’re wearing a face mask. Get your assistant to help you spray your back thoroughly.
2. Let the disinfectant sit for a minute before rinsing off any parts of your body where you deem necessary. However, in most cases, you don’t need to rinse off since the disinfectant will evaporate.
3. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with hand soap and water. You can use antibacterial soap if you wish, but regular soap will also work just fine.
4. After you enter your home, change your clothes immediately. Put the clothes you’ve been wearing in the hamper so they can be washed.
5. Wash your hands again after you change out of your clothes.

While no system of decontamination is perfect, the more thoroughly you disinfect your groceries after shopping, the less chance of you bringing any virus into your house.

Don’t leave your house unless it’s necessary, maintain proper hygiene and practice social distancing to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Sources include:

AskAPrepper.com

MSN.com

ConsumerReports.org