As temperatures drop and people spend more time indoors, respiratory illnesses begin to rise—marking the return of cold and flu season. In the U.S., this period generally spans late fall through early spring, and each year brings a unique mix of circulating viruses. For organizations managing buildings, campuses, or large employee populations, proactive procurement planning is essential to maintain a healthy and productive environment.
5 Steps Your Facility Can Take to Prepare for Cold & Flu Season
Are Some Facilities More at Risk of an Outbreak?
While every organization can be impacted, some environments are more prone to rapid transmission due to close contact and continuous foot traffic. These include:
- Healthcare environments (hospitals, clinics, long-term care)
- Schools and childcare facilities
- Corporate offices and shared workspaces
- Correctional and detention facilities
- College dormitories and other group living settings
- Airports and public transportation systems
What Can be Done to Help Prevent an Outbreak?
Facilities can take a variety of proactive steps to be prepared for the upcoming cold and flu season. Here are five steps to help “stop the spread”:
Step 1 - Review Your Hygiene Supply Inventory and Stock Up on What’s Needed. Ensure your facility is stocked with ample supplies of disposable tissues/paper products, hand hygiene products, and surface cleaners and disinfectants. Review your inventory to make sure surface disinfectants are EPA-approved, in-date (not expired) and effective against common germs like coronavirus (COVID) and the influenza A (flu) virus.
Step 2 - Promote Hand Hygiene. Provide easy access to handwashing stations with soap and water. Post signs to remind staff and visitors to wash their hands often and use proper techniques.
Step 3 – Focus on High-Touch Surfaces. Surfaces touched by more hands are more likely to be contaminated with germs. Regularly disinfect high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, hand rails, elevator buttons, and shared equipment. Increase the frequency of cleaning in common areas like restrooms, break rooms, cafeterias, and lobbies. Follow label instructions to ensure products are being used correctly to kill germs.
Step 4 – Ensure Proper Product Placement. Hygiene products should be placed conveniently to promote their use by more than just maintenance staff. Ensure disinfectant sprays or wipes are available so staff can help to keep their workspaces and shared spaces clean between professional cleanings. Choose low-toxicity products (EPA Category IV), which will not require protective equipment and will not have precautionary statements.
Step 5 – Educate & Inform Staff. Emphasize and reinforce the importance of hygiene and what actions facility users can take to help prevent the spread of germs, including staying home if they are sick and scheduling appropriate vaccinations.
Enter Into Winter Wellness Today!
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