Safety essentials in the workplace

Most offices are now reopening their doors once again to their employees, most of whom had to stay at home for the past five months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While it may seem scary for some to finally go out again amid the ongoing threat of the new coronavirus, you don’t have to remain vulnerable. There are certain steps you can take and few new office essentials you would want to have to help fight off this deadly virus. Since you’ll be staying longer in the office at least twice or thrice in a week, it’s best to arm yourself with these essentials, which may prove crucial in helping you remain free from the dreaded COVID-19.

Face mask, face shield

By this time, your face mask and face shield should already feel like second skin. After all, the government has mandated everyone to wear these every time you step out of the house. At one point, it was even suggested that face masks be worn inside the house.

If you’re wearing a cloth mask, make sure to wash it everyday and have spares on hand. Ideally, disposable surgical and N95 masks should be for single use and should be immediately (and properly) disposed of. Do not spray alcohol on your face mask as this may reduce its filtration effectiveness. It’s best to keep spare face masks and shields in your office drawer in case you feel the need to change them.

UV sterilizer bag

You might want to swap your designer bags for this in the meantime. The UV sterilizer bag has seen a growing popularity nowadays as regular disinfections have become a must to ensure our health and safety. You simply put in your wallet, phone, keys, and other items inside the UV sterilizer bag, which could supposedly help eliminate bacteria and viruses in a matter of minutes.

Just make sure, however, to carefully check and learn more about the UV sterilizer bag you’ll be purchasing, along with the potential hazards of using these items. Be wary of fake UV bags in online marketplaces as this might do more harm than good.

Portable air purifier

The portable air purifier comes in varying shapes and sizes: it can be small enough to wear around your neck or you can clip it inside your car. You can have a small one you can place on your office desk or have the heavy duty ones that can cover more area.

Although it’s not a guarantee that it will ward off the COVID-19 virus, a portable air cleaner can still help improve the indoor air quality by removing allergens, smoke and other harmful pollutants in the air. It’s best, however, to complement the use of air purifiers with other cleaning techniques. At least, this is one step to help ensure cleaner breathing air whether you’re on your way to work and back, or while inside the office.

Washable keyboards

If you have extra cash to spare, you might want to check out washable keyboards that will allow you to regularly clean and disinfect one of the most touched surfaces while at work. Beyond just surviving coffee spills while working, these water resistant keyboards are light and flexible, which means you can easily carry them around. Some brands even have keyboards that have an antimicrobial finish so that’s an added bonus as well. And while you’re at it, you might want to check out a waterproof mouse to go with your washable keyboard.