Posted by Ashley McChesney on Sat, Nov 21, 2009 @ 09:13 AM
Orlando theme parks are fighting hard against the flu this year, Disney and SeaWorld taking the largest measures to combat illness in the parks.
Disney has installed dozens of industrial size hand sanitizers throughout their parks in high traffic areas like park entrances, hotel lobbies, and character meet and greet area. Over 200,000 individual sanitizer applicators were ordered to be sold for about a dollar at all Disney park stores, they are being distributed to Disney employees for use as well. They have also started printing basic health safety tips on brochures that list park hours and show times. Disney cast members are being given free seasonal flu shots as well as rigorous cleaning and hygienic training. Cast member are working as a team to make sure that character costumes are switched and washed as soon as they come into contact with sick park guests, even referring the sick guests to the park's first-aid center.
SeaWorld has followed suite and has installed more hand sanitizers and stepped up cleaning and disinfecting standards.
The parks are trying to do their part, now what do you do?
The CDC says the most important thing you can do is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand rub. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. To protect others, use a tissue or cough and sneeze into your sleeve.
You would be surprised at how many germs are left on your hands after a quick washing, it is important to thoroughly wash your hands and be sure to spend a little extra time getting under nails, around knuckles, and all the way up to the wrists.
Try to sanitize areas that are frequently touched before you touch them yourself. Use disinfecting wipes to wipe down bathroom door handles and table tops. Avoid touching places that are not easily disinfected and could have been used to store contaminated items such as pockets in rented strollers.
The CDC says studies have shown that influenza virus can survive on environmental surfaces and can infect a person for two to eight hours after being deposited on the surface. You can drink disposable cups and bottled water instead of glass items for piece of mind.
You may also want to stay away from breakfast bars and the like to be extra cautious.
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