During these uncertain times of a global pandemic, everyone is expected to do their part in flattening the curve. Staying home and social distancing is non-negotiable, however, home emergencies still happen. There may be a situation where a service professional has to enter your home, and if that time comes, you will want to be prepared. Here’s what you should do before, during and after a service pro enters your home.
Before
Emergencies can happen, so it’s best to have a plan in place before anything goes wrong. It is crucial that you take extensive precautionary measures when allowing someone else into your home. Disinfect the high-touch surfaces like door handles, light switches, and any areas around where the pro will need to work in.
Confirm with everyone in your household that they are feeling well to protect the service professional. If someone is feeling under the weather, ensure you have informed the pro before they enter the house. Ask them before they come over what areas they would need to use and remove any furniture, or objects, that are in the way to allow a smooth and quick visit.
During
While the service professional is in the house, you will want to ensure both parties are taking full measures to protect themselves and each other. Ask the pro if they are able to remove their shoes outside, or at the front door before entering the rest of the home. Have each individual in the home wear a mask at all times, including the service professional. Continue to stay 6 feet away while in the house, or even in another room if possible. Ask the pro about their cleaning routines for their tools and the surfaces they are touching while on site.
Avoid touching any form of money or machines while paying for the job. Try to pay online or an over the phone method if possible. If the interaction must occur while in the home, try placing the machine down on a table to use, touching only your card, and the pro only touching the machine. Make sure to not touch a receipt, rather leave it for 72 hours, allowing the virus to naturally inactivate.
After
Once the job is complete and the pro has left your home, you can then set out a plan to disinfect. Start by washing your hands. Proceed to disinfect all the areas the service professional was working in. Include every surface they touched from the beginning to the end of the job. Think of places like the floor they walked on, the walls they touched, and any tools they may have used of yours.
Wash the clothing you and your household wore during this visit, as well as any towels or mats that would’ve been used or walked on. If possible, leave the room they were working in for another 72 hours to allow the room to release any germs it was holding onto. Additionally, open the windows and the doors to ensure clean air is pushed through.
As these times of uncertainty continue to persist, we must follow the government regulations. This means only allowing service professionals to enter your home or complete work for essential services. If an emergency occurs, ensure that everyone involved practices these safety measures in order to stay safe.
