Your home is the center of activity for your family. Help keep your
family healthier by making sure an unwanted houseguest doesn't get inside.
MRSA, a bacterium that can cause dangerous infections, may be present
and spread throughout the home. Since it can be spread through contaminated contact surfaces and items, it is
crucial to take measures to help reduce the spread of MRSA using these practical steps:
- Scrub up - Wash hands for at least 15 seconds, or
use an alcohol-based hand rub sanitizer, especially before eating and after using the bathroom. Make
sure you have soap or hand sanitizer located throughout the house and in all bathrooms. For more tips on
effective hand washing, download the STOP MRSA Now
Wipe it down - Use a bleach solution to disinfect hard
surfaces, including kitchen counters, tabletops, doorknobs and light switches. To learn how to make a
disinfecting bleach solution, download
the STOP MRSA Now Playbook.
(1 tablespoon of disinfecting bleach diluted in 1 quart of water)
- Cover your
cuts - Cover any nicks or wounds with a clean, dry bandage until healed. Keep a stock of bandages in
- Keep to
yourself - Do not share personal items, like towels or razors that come into contact with bare skin.
- Use a barrier - Keep a towel or clothing between skin and shared items.
If you suspect that someone in your family has a MRSA infection,
contact a licensed health care professional, especially if the infection is large, painful, warm to the touch, or
does not heal by itself. Make sure to take the preventive steps above to stop the spread of MRSA in your home.
For more information on steps you can take to reduce the spread of MRSA, download the STOP MRSA Now Playbook.