Germ Free Remotes, LLC

GFR - Classiest Business Idea in a Century

2010-01-19T08:46:00.000-08:00

"You Stay Healthy Out There, Y'Here?"

Germ Free Remotes is getting some attention!

The website RedFerret.Net called us the "classiest business idea in a century!" Here is what they wrote:

Just when we thought we’d seen it all, up pops Germ Free Remotes, the classiest business idea in a century.
Take one ordinary remote control unit – A.
Take one custom fit plastic bag – B.
Insert A into B.
Seal bag – profit!
Genius, simply genius. Why didn’t we think of this?

To see the posting about us on their site, click here.

An Ounce of Prevention Keeps the Germs Away

2010-01-19T08:14:00.000-08:00

Staying germ-free doesn't have to cost a lot of money or be a big hassle! Immune system supplements can be expensive, and disinfectant sprays are messy, smelly, and aren't 100% effective. Germ Free Remote bags are inexpensive, with prices as low as $.10/bag, and are 100% effective when used correctly.

Here are some other ways to stay germ-free throughout the cold and flu season. Find the full article, including tips & hints, here.

1. Wash Your Hands Often
Keeping your hands clean is one of the best ways to keep from getting sick and
spreading illnesses. Cleaning your hands gets rid of germs you pick up from other
people . . . from the surfaces you touch . . . and from the animals you come in
contact with.

2. Routinely Clean & Disinfect Surfaces
Cleaning and disinfecting are not the same thing. Cleaning removes germs from
surfaces – whereas disinfecting actually destroys them. Cleaning with soap and
water to remove dirt and most of the germs is usually enough. But sometimes, you
may want to disinfect for an extra level of protection from germs.
• While surfaces may look clean, many infectious germs may be lurking around.
In some instances, germs can live on surfaces for hours — and even days.
• Disinfectants are specifically registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and contain ingredients that actually destroy bacteria and other
germs. Check the product label to make sure it says “Disinfectant” and has an
EPA registration number.
Disinfect those areas where there can be large numbers of dangerous germs – and
where there is a possibility that these germs could be spread to others.

3. Handle & Prepare Food Safely
When it comes to preventing foodborne illness, there are four simple steps to food
safety that you can practice every day. These steps are easy – and theyʼll help protect
you and those around you from harmful foodborne bacteria. The only way to know for sure that meat is cooked to a safe temperature is to use a food thermometer. Make sure it reaches the temperature recommended for each specific food.

4. Get Immunized
Getting immunizations is easy and low-cost – and most importantly, it saves lives.
Make sure you and your children get the shots suggested by your doctor or health
care provider at the proper time, and keep records of all immunizations for the
whole family. Also, ask your doctor about special programs that provide free
shots for your child.
• Children should get their fi rst immunizations before they are 2 months old. They
should have additional doses four or more times before their second birthday.
• Adults need tetanus and diphtheria boosters every 10 years. Shots are also often
needed for protection from illnesses when traveling to other countries.

5. Use Antibiotics Appropriately
Antibiotics are powerful drugs used to treat certain bacterial infections – and they
should be taken exactly as prescribed by your health care provider.
• Antibiotics donʼt work against viruses such as colds or the fl u. That means children
do not need an antibiotic every time they are sick.
• If you do get sick, antibiotics may not always help. If used inappropriately, they
can make bacteria resistant to treatment – thus making illnesses harder to get
rid of.
When in doubt, check with your health care provider – and always follow the
antibiotic label instructions carefully.

6. Be Careful With Pets
Pets provide many benefi ts to people, including comfort and companionship.
However, some animals can also pass diseases to humans. Keep these tips in mind
to make sure your pet relationship is a happy and healthy one.
• Pets should be adopted from an animal
shelter or purchased from a reputable pet
store or breeder.
• All pets should be routinely cared for by a
veterinarian. Follow the immunization
schedule that the vet recommends.
• Obey local leash laws.
• Clean litter boxes daily. NOTE: Pregnant
women should not clean litter boxes.
• Donʼt allow children to play where animals
go to the bathroom.
• Keep your childʼs sandbox covered when
not in use.

7. Avoid Contact With Wild Animals
Wild animals can carry diseases that are harmful to you and
your pets — but there are simple precautions you can take to
avoid contact with a variety of species.
• Keep your house free of wild animals by not leaving any
food around and keeping garbage cans sealed.
• Clear brush, grass, and debris from around house foundations
to get rid of possible nesting sites for mice and rodents.
• Be sure to seal any entrance holes you discover on the inside
or outside of your home.
• Use insect repellent to prevent ticks. Do a routine “tick
check” after spending time outdoors. Ticks should be
removed immediately with tweezers by applying gentle,
steady pressure until they release their bite.

4 Ways to Stop the Spread of Germs

2009-12-21T08:47:00.000-08:00

Other than handwashing, these are the most important steps you can take to stay germ-free this winter:

1. Hands off the face. This is a major way bacteria and viruses get into our bodies: You touch something infected, then rub your eyes or nose, or touch the skin around your mouth. In fact, research shows that we touch our faces an average of 16 times an hour, says Charles Gerba, MD, professor of microbiology at the University of Arizona.

2. Avoid shaking hands. Again, hands are a major way germs travel. So whenever possible, greet someone with a wave instead.

3. Carry sanitizer with you at all times. It’s just as effective as soap and water, and you never know when you’ll need it, says Dr. Gerba.

4. Store disinfectant wipes in your home and office. Wiping down surfaces like your desk and kitchen countertops daily will get rid of harmful bacteria.

Germ Free Remote bags can also help you stay healthy! Our eco-friendly disposable remote covers protect you from germs that other people may have left on the remote control in hotel rooms and hospitals. Visit our website for more information.

Things You Don't Want To Know

2009-12-07T09:22:00.000-08:00

Excrement contains a lot of disgusting bacteria—many of them still alive—and over 120 viruses, including hepatitis A. If the bacteria would just stay in the toilet, the world would be a lot different. But because most people's personal hygiene habits are so poor, E-coli has been found everywhere.
According to Dr. Charles Gerba, a microbiologist in Arizona who calls himself "the Sultan of Slime," the bathroom is cleaner then the kitchen in the average house. Not that you'll want to mix a salad in the toilet bowl. But he says you're safer making a sandwich on top of the toilet bowl than in the kitchen.
The dirtiest spots in the kitchen are dishcloths, cutting boards, sponges, and sink handles. Surprisingly, the floor is often cleaner than the sink!
Hotel rooms are another source of woe for fecal fanatics. One study, conducted in the early 1990s, found that a cheap hotel room had a lot more fecal bacteria in it than an expensive one. Perhaps a reflection of the cleaning; or the guests...
One study found that 30 percent of all people didn't wash their hands after using a public bathroom—although 90 percent claimed they do. So do you really want to stick your hand in one of those bowls of mints at the exits of some restaurants? Did you ever wonder how many others who did that before you washed their hands before they left the bathroom?
No one has tested these mints for fecal matter, but one story, perhaps apocryphal, is that someone ran an ultraviolet light over a bowl to test for urine—and found it.
Other studies showed that half of all homes surveyed had fecal material in the washing machines, and underwear contained as much as ten grams of fecal matter. Washing didn't always help get rid of this, either, because most people do a load — a washing machine load, that is — along with other clothes, thereby spreading the fecal contamination around.
In one study, diarrhea-inducing E.coli was found on 10 percent of coffee mugs.
Between 7 and 42 percent of all paper money contained "revolting bacteria."
One study found fecal matter on the screen of an automated bank machine (think of all the dirty fingers that touch those screens before you do).
People who touch a pay phone and then touch their faces afterwards are dialing for trouble.

Source

Wyndam Hotels Fight the Spread of Germs

2009-11-23T09:19:00.000-08:00

Wyndham Hotels is doing its part to fight flu and colds!
The chain teamed up with Bath & Body Works to give away free bottles of the retailer’s Deep Cleansing Hand Gel to arriving guests at 12 airport hotels.Calling it part of its “Be Well” philosophy, the hotel chain says it hopes the gesture can mitigate the risk of guests contracting flu or cold or spreading their own illnesses to others.The pocket-sized bottles are available in two fragrances—Warm Vanilla Sugar and Coconut Lime Verbana—or unscented. Guests also receive a coupon for a free antibacterial item of choice when they make a purchase of $10 or more at a Bath & Body Works story.Wyndham also features Bath & Body Works’ True Blu spa line of amenities in all its guestrooms.

Hotbed For Germs / Holiday Travel

2009-11-16T09:06:00.000-08:00

Research has shown that germs such as the rhinovirus (the cold germ) can live on common household items (such as the tv remote, refrigerator door handle, doorknobs, and bathroom taps) for up to 2 days! These germs are also easily transmitted to people who use them. The lead researcher in the study, Dr. Birgit Winther, said that "Some people still spray the air with disinfectants, but rhinovirus doesn't fly through the air. I think the message from this research is that we need to focus more wisely on cleaning commonly touched surfaces in the home." Researchers are recommending that people boost their immune systems by frequently washing their hands and in general, maintaining their overall hygiene. The UK Hygiene Council is also suggesting that people regularly spray touches services with a high quality disinfectant spray that could kill viruses. Another good way to avoid these same kinds of germs is to use a Germ Free Remotes bag on television remotes. Many people travel during the holiday season and stay in hotels. Hotel television remotes are known to be hotbeds for germs, with the amount of people in and out of the rooms and with the short amount of time maids have to clean each room.

Swine Flu FAQs

2009-11-02T09:01:00.000-08:00

Do you have questions about the H1N1 flu vaccine? Do you want to know if it is safe for someone with egg allergies? Were you already vaccinated for the 1976 swine influenze? The CDC website has a question and answer page on their website. Click here to check it out!

Myth And Fact About Germs

2009-10-20T10:46:00.000-07:00

Myth: Antibacterial products keep germs at bay.

Fact: They can, but overuse has been linked to antibiotic-resistant superbugs, which is one reason the American Medical Association doesn't support their everyday use. Hand sanitizers are great when you can't get to a sink, but soap and water, the old-fashioned way of washing, is still the best method for killing bacteria. Wash your hands frequently and properly for at least 20 seconds at a time (or the time it takes you to sing "Happy Birthday") with soap and warm water.

So while antibacterial products can help keep germs at bay, they also help create antibiotic-resistant superbugs. Sounds scary! I don't know about you, but I like my bugs "mini," not "super!" Germ Free Remotes can help you avoid germs without using antibacterial products.

Source

Latest Swine Flu Statistics

2009-10-12T08:22:00.001-07:00

It looks like this swine flu hoopla is not dying down anytime soon. To the left is a symptom chart- but please keep in mind these symptoms can also be attributed to many other illnesses. To see some swine flu statistics, including a breakdown of cases and deaths by state, click here. For common questions and answers, click here.

Your best defense is still a good offense. Hand washing and sanitizing, plenty of sleep, and avoid touching your eyes and mouth when you have been around sick people. Germ Free Remote bags can also make a big difference in schools and hotels, where many people potentially carrying germs could pass each day!

Visit Our Website

2009-09-28T09:21:00.001-07:00

For ordering info and other information, don't forget to visit us online at www.germfreeremotes.com!

Protect Yourself Against ALL Infectious Diseases!

2009-09-28T08:58:00.000-07:00

With all of the hubub regarding the flu and the swine flu, it's easy to forget that there are plenty of other illnesses out there. Some other common cold-weather ailments include:

Cold- Colds are caused by a virus that infects the nose, sinuses, throat, and airways, and they're often spread through contact with mucus. Symptoms include sneezing, a stuffy and/or runny nose, coughing, scratchy sore throat, and red, watery eyes. Other signs: chills, aches, a mild fever, and swollen lymph glands. Since colds are viral infections, there's no ideal treatment, but fluids and rest, plus decongestants, cough syrups, and antihistamines, can help ease symptoms.
Bronchitis- More than 25% of those affected by acute bronchitis each year are children; it's most common in kids under 5. The illness, an inflammation of the airways, is usually caused by viruses, bacteria, or allergies. Symptoms include difficulty breathing and a severe cough that may last several weeks. Also possibly a slight fever that in severe cases will spike to above 102°. Treatment for bronchitis is rest and fluids, though antibiotics can help if the infection is bacterial. Medication can suppress a dry cough, but if the cough produces phlegm, talk to your pediatrician about giving a syrup with an expectorant to make it easier for your child to bring up the sputum. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can reduce fever and aches, and cool-mist humidifiers or steam vaporizers can help ease breathing.
Sinusitis- About 10% of colds each year develop into sinusitis, an inflammation of the lining of the sinuses that's usually caused by allergies or another infection. Symptoms include nasal congestion and thick nasal discharge, as well as pain, tenderness, swelling, and pressure around the nose. Sinusitis can cause a persistent cough, sore throat, or bad breath. If the infection spreads, it can lead to fever and chills. Treatment is usually a 21-day course of antibiotics. Over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays can be used for up to three days; after that, they can cause the nasal passages to swell and might actually worsen symptoms. Use antihistamines to reduce allergy symptoms and acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and aches. Cool-mist humidifiers and steam vaporizers can make breathing easier.
Strep Throat- While most expect doctors to prescribe antibiotics for sore throats, streptococcal bacteria cause only about 15 to 25 percent of sore throats; the remainder are caused by respiratory viruses, which are unresponsive to antibiotics. No physician can consistently distinguish between streptococcal pharyngitis and sore throats caused by viruses based on physical examination alone. If you suspect you may strep throat, you should have their throats swabbed to determine if streptococcal bacteria are present.

Germ Free Remotes bags would help protect you and your family from all of these illnessess, as well as the flu and the HINI.

Source Source

H1N1 Now In Schools!

2009-09-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

"The pending return of the H1N1 swine flu to the northern hemisphere is driving American schools to prepare for the worst. One school is attempting to ban touch among students."

Source

Until the vaccination comes out (rumored to be October 2009) your best bet for protecting yourself and your family, including school-aged children, is still constant hand-washing. Check out this site for more tips to help protect your health: http://pandemicflu.gov/individualfamily/prevention/index.html

With H1N1 now in schools, Germ Free Remote covers on all A/V equipment could protect a lot of students from getting infected!

Avoid the Flu by Killing Germs on Hidden Surfaces

2009-09-14T09:21:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again! The dreaded FLU SEASON. You have two options: get a flu shot, or take your chances. Making small changes, like using a Germ Free Remotes bag on remotes at hotels or hospitals, can greatly reduce your risk of infection. If you have a large family, particularly young children in school, then you know how often germs are shared. Investing in Germ Free Remotes bags for your home could help keep everyone happy & healthy. Check out our source (linked below) for more tips on how to stay healthy throughout flu season.

Source

New Study Finds Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria on Remote Controls

2009-09-08T06:58:00.000-07:00

A recent University of Arizona TV Remote Control Study, by Dr. Chuck Gerba, ranks the TV remote control as holding the highest level of bacteria in a patient's hospital room. The bacteria can lead to Nosocomial Infection, or hospital-acquired infection.

Among the bacteria found, MRSA the dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria were only discovered on the remote controls. There were no traces of it on any other objects tested.

The Study was conducted in June, July and August 2005. The study involved 15 hospital rooms to determine if the greatest number of bacteria in a patient's room occurs on the remote control.

Study Results
-The average total bacteria on the remote controls was 320.
-The average total bacteria on sites in the hospital room was 91.
-The average total bacteria on newly opened disposable remotes was 8.35. There was no detection of Staphylococcus Aureus on newly opened disposable remotes.
-MRSA bacteria were present on television remote controls in patient hospital rooms.

Note: Each remote was tested after the patient was released and the patient room was cleaned.

Staggering Statistics
-Nosocomial Infection - Hospital-Acquired Infections
-More than 2 million Americans acquire hospital-related infections each year.
-Almost 90,000 deaths are reported each year due to nosocomial infections.
-Patients with Staph infections spend an average of 14 days in the hospital compared to other patients.
-Each year, patients with hospital-acquired infections increase hospital bills by more than $9.5 billion

Don't take a change- use a new Germ Free Remotes bag each time to take care of this problem before it even starts!

Source

WHO Warns of 2nd Wave of Swine Flu

2009-08-31T08:17:00.000-07:00

The World Health Organization is warning of a possible 2nd wave of the H1N1 virus.

There are various ways you can protect yourself from this, including protecting yourself from germs. Antibacterial soaps are sure to be in high demand, so stock up now. Germ Free Remote covers are a great way to avoid germs on remote control covers in hotels, hospitals, etc. Next time you are in a hotel room, imagine how many people have touched the remote control before you. Wouldn't it be nice to have some assurance you aren't bringing dangerous germs, like H1N1, home to your family and friends?

Source

Germs Are Everywhere - Really

2009-08-27T12:13:00.000-07:00

As you hit the road for summer travel, get in touch with those unsuspected surfaces that are breeding grounds for illness.

By Sid Kirchheimer WebMD Feature
Reviewed By Brunilda Nazario

Besides providing a healthy renewal of mind and spirit, a summer vacation makes good antimicrobial sense, especially when you consider that typical workplace desktop has more germs than a public toilet seat.
But let's face it, when you hit the road for your weeklong escape, those kids arguing in the backseat or giant rodents posing for photos at theme parks aren't going to be your only travel companions. There are zillions of germs living on the umpteen surfaces you touch.
And they don't take a vacation, even when you do.
That could explain why 80% of infections are spread the same way: Someone touches a germ-ridden surface. Or someone infected by germ particles from a sneeze, a cough, or a touch -- gets the infectious bug onto their hands.

What's In a Touch?

"Whether germs are viral, bacterial, or fungal, some can remain active on most surfaces for several days -- no matter whether the surface is stainless steel, wood, plastic, or even the paper in a magazine," says Elaine Jong, MD, co-director of the University of Washington Travel Clinic in Seattle.
When you touch that surface, it's transmitted to your hands. Then if you touch your eyes or rub their nose or lips, when you eat or in any way get your fingers in contact with a mucous surface, voila ... you have infected yourself."
The best way to prevent problems, of course, is to never touch these "problem" surfaces. But that's not so easy.
"The funny thing is, what many people consider to be the germiest surfaces may not be so bad, while some of the most germ-ridden areas are not what most people expect," says University of Arizona microbiologist Charles Gerba, PhD, a leading researcher better known in the science world as "Dr. Germ."

Popular Opinion, Scientific Reality

For instance, Gerba recently completed a survey of 1,000 people -- getting their opinions of where the germs collect in full force, boosting their risk for infection, and compared those opinions to the evidence he's collected in thousands of germ samples.
"Most people consider Port-a-Potties and other public toilets to be the worst places in terms of surface germs. But in reality, they don't even come close to what you'll find on ATM machines, phone receivers, and elevator buttons," he tells WebMD. "That's because those toilets are cleaned and disinfected regularly. But when was the last time a typical phone or buttons on an ATM machine or elevators were?"
Of course, germs are everywhere -- and the key to removing them is with a regular cleaning (soap and clean water) and disinfecting. And because this one-two punch isn't done on many public surfaces, Gerba notes that some of the germiest places you'll likely encounter this summer include:

Picnic tables. "They are never cleaned or disinfected and birds like to roost on them, especially on picnic tables near a pond or in the shade," says Gerba, a professor of environmental microbiology who has collected thousands of germ concentration samples for dozens of studies. "You should never eat from a picnic table, or even touch the surface, unless you have your own tablecloth."
Playgrounds. "Some are even worse than picnic tables, and that's pretty bad -- and the monkey bars tend to be the very germiest place," he says. "That's because they're primarily used by small children who rarely wash their hands and run around with colds." Especially avoid tables and benches, where diaper changes are often done, he advises.
Airport bathrooms. The problem isn't that airport bathrooms aren't cleaned and disinfected -- they are. "It's that so many people use the bathrooms as soon as they leave the place that janitors just can't keep up with the influx of germs from around the world."
What may surprise you, however, is which part of airport bathrooms are the worst: "The faucet area is the dirtiest and the place that some people worry about most -- the doorknobs -- typically are cleanest," he says.
And the toilet seats? Because they lack the moisture than helps germs thrive, they have fewer germs than faucets. "My advice is to always use the end stalls, whether at the airport or any other public bathroom," says Gerba. "Most people use the middle stalls, so they tend to be the germiest." In his studies, the stall that is farthest left (as you face the stalls) has the fewest germs because it's used less than those on the right end.
Hotel rooms. As a general rule, the higher the price the cleaner the room. "I did a study about seven years that found if you paid more than $50 a night, there was a much greater chance that the room was regularly disinfected," he tells WebMD. "Rooms under $50 weren't." But no matter the price, the single place where you'll find the most surface germs: the TV remote. "It's never cleaned," he says.

The Germ-Friendly Skies?

But what is the single germiest place posing the biggest risk of a hand-transmitted illness?
"I might have to go with airline bathrooms," says Gerba. "Before 9/11, I used to sample airplane bathrooms a lot, and I always found E. coli traces -- usually on the faucets and nearly 100% of the time on the door handles."
The reason: "About 50 people per flight use a toilet and if you ever tried to wash your hands in that tiny sink, you'll know it's pretty hard," he says. "To make matters worse, airplane bathrooms are rarely disinfected between flights."
Don't expect that holding it in will protect you.
"Studies show there are more germs in the air inside an airplane during daytime flights than during nighttime flights," says Jong, author of The Travel and Tropical Medicine Handbook and clinical professor of internal medicine at the University of Washington Medical School.
"When people walk in the aisles of a plane, it kicks up a lot of dust. Conversely, during red eye and nighttime flights, particle count goes down because there is less activity." Other germ-ridden surfaces on planes: the tray counters, seat armrests, and even magazines.

Portable Protection

That's why she and Gerba suggest that no matter what your travel destination is this summer, you should pack plenty of soap, alcohol swabs, or easy-to-use gel sanitizers.
"And use them," Jong tells WebMD. "You should wash your hands frequently and always before you prepare to eat food or touch your eyes, nose, and mouth. Personally, when I'm on a plane, I wipe the area around my seat with a gel sanitizer when I board, and also use them on my hands after I touch a strange surface. Keeping your hands clean is the best way to avoid becoming sick from these kinds of germs."

Published July 12, 2004.

SOURCES: Elaine Jong, MD, clinical professor of internal medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle; and co-director, University of Washington Travel Clinic; and author, The Travel and Tropical Medicine Handbook. Charles Gerba, PhD, professor of environmental microbiology, the University of Arizona, Tucson.
©1996-2005 WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.

Germ Free Remotes on Twitter!

2009-08-27T11:33:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to follow us on Twitter! We are at www.twitter.com/germfreeremotes.

Also visit our website at http://www.germfreeremotes.com/!

Germ FAQs

2009-08-27T11:09:00.001-07:00

The germ facts:

At home, the kitchen sink is one of the places with the most germs -- harboring more germs than the bathroom. The most contaminated sites are those that tend to remain moist. The dishcloth, toilet bowl, garbage can, refrigerator, remote control, and bathroom doorknob are also high on the list.

At work, phone receivers harbor more germs than any surface -- even more than the toilet seats. Desktops, keyboards, and elevator buttons are also on the workplace top germ-covered list.

In public places, playground equipment, escalator handrails, shopping cart handles, picnic tables, and Port-A-Potties are top germ carriers.

Also, only 17% of Americans wash their hands after shaking hands -- yet 51% wash them after sneezing or coughing. It's part of the misconception that germs are spread in the air rather than by hand contact.

69 million workers reported missing days due to illness, for a total of 407 million days of lost time at work and 22 million lost schooldays per year for students.

Welcome Message!

2009-08-27T09:20:00.000-07:00

Thank you for visiting Germ Free Remotes. Our team realized the importance of keeping germs from spreading though remote controls. The average number of bacteria on a typical remote control is 320, and remotes have higher levels of bacteria than any other object in hotel and hospital rooms. A large number of the population is now concerned with catching germs. Hotel chains and hospital management have taken notice and are now doing their part to keep guests safe and comfortable to ensure they return to the establishment again.

The following are a few examples of how Germ Free Remotes adds value:

Each bag is custom fit for your hotels remote control
Extremely low cost per bag
Staff and Housekeeping can apply without problem
Clients can avoiding spreading germs by never having to touch the remote control
Adds extra protection from spills on controls and prevents having to replace remotes
Germ Free Remotes are made from a biodegradable material so they are Earth friendly
Every bag comes with your hotel's custom logo
Saves money on replacing battery covers and lost batteries

The Germ Free Remotes solution will simply let your clients know you care about their health and well-being. The simple gesture of stopping the spread of germs goes a long way.