Face shields, face masks, and other personal protective equipment have become part of our “new normal.” But for meticulous moms, the home must also be safe from COVID-19. That’s why they have additional disinfection and safety measures in place to protect their family (read up on it here).
One of their favorite ways to disinfect is by ultraviolet (UV) light. Even before the pandemic, moms were already using UV sterilizers to disinfect their breast pumps, and their baby’s feeding bottles and toys.
How does UV light disinfection work?
According to The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, UV-C, a type of UV light, has been shown to destroy coronaviruses including MERS. So, it could probably be an effective disinfectant against the novel coronavirus.
But keep in mind that UV-C light is dangerous to people. It can only be used on objects or surfaces because it damages human skin and the eyes.
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Try a UV disinfection box for home use
This UV disinfection box is portable and easy to use!PHOTO BY Courtesy of babymama.phIf you don’t have a sterilizer yet, the Swiff UV Disinfection Box (now only Php 895.00) can be a wise investment. It claims to have a 99% disinfection rate and can be used for face masks, headphones, hearing aids, stethoscopes, dentures, underwear, toothbrushes, beauty tools, baby bottles, toys, socks, cutlery, watches, glasses, smartphones, and jewelry. In other words, you can disinfect virtually anything as long as it fits inside the box.
CONTINUE READING BELOWwatch nowThe box is covered with aluminum film to prevent ultraviolet rays from leaking. It’s also foldable and collapsible, so you can easily bring it along with you wherever you go — just make sure there’s a socket because it needs to be plugged in to work.
The appeal of disinfection boxes lies in the fact that you can’t use chemical disinfectants on sensitive objects, like a baby’s feeding bottle, because your baby puts it in her mouth. But a box like this uses UV-C light to kill viruses and bacteria by “destroying the molecular bonds that hold their DNA together,” according to Science.
It’s also very convenient and easy to use — just place it inside the box, press the button, and wait for the disinfection to finish.
Buy it on Lazada here.
Next level disinfection: UV disinfection lamp
This UV disinfection lamp is effective, but it must be used properly as it can be harmful to humans and pets.PHOTO BY Courtesy of babymama.phADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWAs more research points to the reality that COVID-19 may be transmitted airborne, the use of air purifiers and UV room lights have also become popular, in an effort to reduce airborne contaminants including viruses in homes, offices, and other confined spaces.
If you want to improve indoor air quality, you may want to opt for Optoelectronics’ UV Room Light (now only Php 995). It claims to eliminate up to 99% of airborne viruses, including mites! Use it in the bedroom, toilet, or office!
However, moms from our Facebook community, Smart Parenting Village, caution against using it when there are young kids around. As with all UV lights, it can be harmful to people and pets when not used properly.
As a precaution, the manual states that is strictly forbidden for people and animals to be present inside the room when the lamp is activated. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause skin and even burns, and prolonged inhalation of ozone can damage your respiratory system. Doors and windows need to be closed tightly during sterilization.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWThe light has an auto shut-off feature and you can choose between 15, 30, and 60-minute disinfection. However, you cannot enter the room right away after disinfection is done. Wait for 30 to 40 minutes and make sure to open the doors and windows to air out the ozone.
Buy it on Lazada here.
Even with these disinfection tools in your home, what’s more important is to stick to the basic safety protocols like social distancing, wearing of face masks, and handwashing to keep the virus from spreading.
Looking for UV sterilizers? Click here for a list!
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