Healthbolt

Don’t Put That There.

by Liz on April 2nd, 2008

Do you…

- drop your handbag onto the kitchen counter?
- leave your toothbrush on the bathroom sink?
- put your sneakers into the bedroom closet?

Then you are just asking for trouble…with your health.

A recent MSNBC article ‘The 16 worst places to stash your stuff’ points out that where you leave your belongings can play havoc with your health.

For example, did you know that your handbag can carry not only all your ‘worldly possessions’ but also a whole lot of ‘buggy’ hanger ons. Recent studies have shown that

“…handbags in the sample tested positive not only for the presence of bacteria but for bacteria of the worst kind–including pseudomonas, which can cause eye infections; staphylococcus aurous which can cause serious skin infections; and e coli, which causes food poisoning.”

In fact, the bottom of a handbag could easily have more bacteria than a toilet seat

And talking about toilets, germ expert Chuck Gerba has determined that there are about 3.2 million microbes per square inch in the average toilet bowl. So everytime the toilet is flushed, it’s possible to spread these microbes around the room. So never, ever leave the toothbrush on the bathroom sink if it’s in the same room as the toilet. Instead, shut it away in the medicine cabinet.

As for outdoor sneakers (or other shoes) shutting them away in the bedroom closet is a guaranteed way to spread and grow pollens and allergens in the house.

Sure does make you think.

Here’s the other 13 worst places to put stuff….

• The worst place to try to fall asleep: under piles of blankets
• The worst place to cool leftovers: in the refrigerator
• The worst stall to pick in a public restroom: the one in the middle
• The worst place for a workout reminder: stuck on your post-it laden fridge
• The worst place to sit on an airplane: the rear
• The worst place to pick up a prescription: the pharmacy drive-thru
• The worst place to stand during your first few fitness classes: front and center
• The worst place for a nighttime reading light: overhead
• The worst place to keep medicine: the medicine cabinet
• The worst place to set fruit before washing it: the kitchen sink
• The worst place to use earbuds or headphones: on an airplane, train, or subway
• The worst place for your coffee: the refrigerator or freezer
• The worst place for your TV: wherever you dine