Almost everyone knows that public restroom surfaces are often highly contaminated due to the high volume of traffic in facilities throughout the day. However, there are a handful of surfaces in public restrooms that can be especially unsanitary, and are often the culprits of bacteria and viruses, particularly during flu season. If you’re looking for a refresher on the good, the bad, and the ugly of public restrooms, below are five exceptionally dirty surfaces to avoid in the future.
Flush Handles
Because so many people use their feet to flush the toilet, flush handles often harbor significant amounts of dangerous bacteria gathered from the floor and contaminated hands. Avoid making direct contact with this particular surface to avoid getting sick.
Stall Door Handles
A stall door handle is often one of the first surfaces that a person touches after using the restroom, making it one of the most contaminated surfaces to touch. Be sure to wash your hands immediately after closing the stall door before leaving.
Faucet Handles
While it is necessary to wash your hands after using the bathroom, it is also important to note that faucet handles can also harbor germs as they are touched with contaminated hands. After washing your hands, use a paper towel to turn off the faucet in order to keep your hands clean.
Floors
Although it may sound like obvious advice to avoid direct contact with the bathroom floor, it is worth noting that the floor can be an especially dangerous surface in the bathroom. A study conducted by University of Arizona microbiologist, Charles Gerba, highlights the way in which nearly a third of handbags have fecal bacteria on them because of their frequent placement on the floors of public restrooms. Hang diaper bags and purses on designated bag hooks to avoid toting bacteria with you throughout the day.
Soap Dispensers
Similar to door handles and faucet handles, soap dispensers are among some of the first surfaces touched after using the facilities. With this in mind, consider using hand sanitizer as a stronger and more effective means of killing germs on your hands, as only 30 seconds of using hand sanitizer is shown to kill nearly the same amount of bacteria as 2 minutes of washing your hands.

Spring has almost sprung, and spring break travel, or just travel in general, is most likely on your mind. Yet, with all the excitement and planning that goes into your getaway, you never want your fun, rest or relaxation to be ruined because you’re sick. But don’t worry; here are five simple tips for healthy travel no matter the time of the year!


1.     Wash or Sanitize Your Hands. Hand hygiene is an easy and highly effective way to help fight germs while traveling. Be sure to wash your hands before boarding a plane or train. Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, and help young children do the same. Also, be sure to pack a travel-sized alcohol-based hand sanitizer, like PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer, to sanitize your hands, when soap and water are not available, at key moments including before eating and after sneezing or coughing. 
2.     Stay Hydrated. Make sure a water bottle is on your packing list so you can take it with you everywhere. Dehydration can cause a variety of health ailments, including headaches, muscle cramping and digestive issues. Most people need between five and eight glasses of water daily; however, each person is different and should be aware of their hydration level, especially on hot days or when activity level is increased.   
3.     Don’t Skip Your Workout. Vacation is a time to recharge, and what better way to do just that than with exercise. You might be able to hit the gym on vacation, but if not, get out and explore by foot or workout in your room by doing pushups and yoga poses. 
4.     Eat more fruits and vegetables. We aren’t saying not to enjoy a treat or two on your trip, but aim to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Choose from a mix of colors and be sure to include leafy greens, berries and fiber-packed beans.
5.     Carry disinfectant wipes. Wipe down those germy areas like airplane tray tables and other commonly touched surfaces, like hotel-room television remotes. 
No matter where your travels take you, may they be fun and healthy! Safe travels!

1. Fun Runs, Walk-a-Thons, and Sporting Events
Long-distance fun runs, community walkathons, and other charity sporting events are a great way to raise funds as the weather grows warmer. Print will help keep these events organized, and some print pieces can be reused for future events.

• Banners—Banners are an ideal option for personalizing tents, stadiums, finish lines, and more. Even better, a durable banner is an investment in a print piece that will last for years to come.
• Postcards—Because of the broad appeal of these events, postcards are an ideal promotional option.
• Badges—Sporting events are busy places, and having a set of badges for volunteers can help keep the event organized. Even better, these badges are reusable for future events.
• Yard Signs—Show runners where to go with yard signs along running courses.
• Labels—For people participating in fun run events or sporting teams, a sticky label could be a fun badge option for those participating.

2. Donation Drives
You can hold a donation drive over the course of a week, a month, or even a year, and print can help!

• Post-it® Notes—A classic visual to show the impact that individuals can make, Post-it® Notes can be used to show each donation at storefronts or restaurants.
• Postcards—With widespread appeal and affordable cost, postcards are a great way to reach out to the community.
• Posters—Getting the word out, especially in smaller communities, can greatly benefit from posters hung in local businesses and community bulletin boards.​

3. Galas
A nonprofit gala is a large-scale fundraising event that usually includes presold tickets that include dinner, dancing, and entertainment alongside silent auctions or raffles.

• Announcements—A traditional announcement with elegant style is an excellent option for a gala. For a truly luxe look, consider adding a touch of foil stamping, embossing, or both.
• Business Cards—Versatile business cards can be personalized with luxurious print or stylish stocks and used as raffle tickets, tags for silent auctions, drink tickets, and more.
• Napkins—Personalized napkins, especially napkins using foil stamping, are an elegant finish to tables at the gala.

4. Concerts
Benefit concerts, whether they feature celebrity performers or local talent, can bring in donations and build buzz in the community. The right print can make them even better.

• Tickets—Printed tickets for concert attendees are an essential for concerts.
• Buttons—Whether used as a creative alternative to traditional tickets or sold at a table for further donations, buttons are a natural complement to a concert.
• Brochures—Full color print can make programs for a benefit concert more exciting, and a half-fold brochure makes an excellent program.

Learn More
Call your rep or our customer service team to learn more about how Twist can help make your next event a success!