Free Book Helps Consumers Steer Clear Of The Flu And Other Harmful Germs
Infection Control For Dummies is a pocketsize book providing simple cleaning and disinfection strategies to prevent the spread of harmful microorganisms.


/Health and Fitness News Articles/ - BOISE, ID, July 23, 2008 - It turns out, mom was right. According to Infection Control For Dummies, washing hands for 20 seconds and paying special attention to fingertips and nails will help prevent and control infections. Infection Control For Dummies (Wiley, 2008) is a free 48-page, pocket-size handbook that helps consumers and environmental service professionals identify basic microorganisms, understand infection transmission, use cleaning techniques to keep infection at bay and understand labels and product claims.

Authored by J. Darrel Hicks, R.E.H., current President of the International Executive Housekeepers Association (IEHA), and director of environmental services, St. Luke's Hospital in Chesterfield, MO, the booklet provides practical tips for fighting bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microbes. For example,

- Cleaning is always the first and best line of defense, since removal of pathogens is better and less toxic than killing them. Also, many disinfectants (including bleach) do not work effectively until the surface is free from organic soil - dirt, blood, etc.

- Microfiber mops and cloths are among the most effective cleaning weapons against harmful microorganisms because microfiber has increased surface area and space to hold microsoils.

- Antibacterial products are not the same as disinfectants. Antibacterial products will kill bacteria but not viruses, which cause colds and flu.

Housekeepingchannel.com, a leading consumer resource for cleaning information, partnered with IEHA to help create Infection Control For Dummies. "We are concerned about growing public health issues, such as MRSA in schools and hospitals, and community-acquired infections, and wanted to help the more vulnerable segments of the population, the children and the elderly," said Allen Rathey, Housekeepingchannel.com president. "Both organizations saw the need to educate consumers and environmental service professionals about proper cleaning and disinfecting techniques to prevent the spread of infection."

Leading microbiologists, healthcare practitioners and housekeeping experts reviewed Infection Control For Dummies content for technical accuracy. The publication was made possible by funding from Spartan Chemical Company, Inc., located in Maumee, OH, and by the support of the IEHA membership.

Infection Control For Dummies is available free to consumers nationwide; a $4.50 shipping and handling fee is required. Consumers can order the publication at http://www.ieha.org/consumers.php or by calling 1.800.200.6342.

About Housekeepingchannel.com
Housekeepingchannel.com is a focused consumer and media resource for the cleaning, motivation, home organization and indoor environment categories. The organization is frequently consulted as a source of factual information for articles in women's, family, consumer and general interest publications. Housekeepingchannel.com strives to be the Web's most comprehensive storehouse of information and resources to help households everywhere achieve a cleaner, more organized and healthier indoor environment. The site provides how-to tutorials, plus news and reviews regarding the latest innovations from the cleaning products industry to improve the home environment. Resources include time-saving systems, tools and motivation for keeping a better house at the click of a mouse.

About International Executive Housekeeper Association
The International Executive Housekeepers Association (IEHA) is a 3,500-plus member organization for housekeeping management. Executive housekeepers are managers that direct housekeeping programs in commercial, industrial or institutional facilities, including upscale hotels, hospitals, schools, and other public places. The non-profit was founded in 1930 in New York City, and is now located in Westerville, Ohio, a suburb of the state's capitol.

About For Dummies
With near universal name recognition, more than 150 million books in print, and over 1,000 topics, For Dummies is the world's bestselling reference series. With loyal customers around the globe, For Dummies enriches people's lives by making knowledge accessible in a fun and easy way. Described by the N.Y. Times as "more than a publishing phenomenon, but a sign of the times," For Dummies spans topics from health to history, music to math, sports to self-help, technology to travel, and more. The Dummies brand franchise has expanded with an extensive licensed product line, including DVDs, software, consumer electronics, cooking, cleaning and automotive products, craft and hobby kits, games and more. For information, visit Dummies.com. For Dummies is a branded imprint of Wiley.

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