As the coronavirus pandemic continues to consume our lives, you may find yourself cleaning and disinfecting unlike ever before.

While all the mopping of floors and wiping of surfaces may help reduce the risk of catching the virus, experts say the chemical solutions being used could also put your health at risk. There are a lot of cleaning products or disinfecting products that have potential harm, especially if they’re used a lot or used improperly.

Often used as a substitute for bleach for cleaning purposes, hydrogen peroxide can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, skin and throat, according to the U.S. CDC. With cleaning taking place more frequently and often without proper safety training, the risk is amplified and something we should be concerned about.

In May, Health Canada reported a 58 percent increase in the number of accidental poisonings compared to before the novel coronavirus pandemic began. These included poisonings by exposure to bleaches, disinfectants, hand sanitizers, and chlorine and chloramine gases.

How can you make cleaning safe?

• Improve natural ventilation by opening a window or door
• Use the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system
• Turn on the exhaust fan or range hood over the stove
• Use humidifiers, portable air purifiers or high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters

Contact SafeCan – Authorized by Health Canada & EPA for disinfecting and sanitation of your Residential, Office and Commercial. SafeCan operates in the Greater Toronto & Hamilton Area and provides a variety of cleaning and disinfection services.