There are a lot of things you can do at home to help protect yourself against COVID-19, and other harmful germs.

As more businesses reopen and we begin to make our ways back into public, here are a few tips to help stop the spread of germs at your door. Always exercise extreme caution, follow the latest advice on handling germs, and keep up to date with any restrictions in your area.

First, we need to understand more about COVID-19 to know how to protect ourselves properly. The World Health Organization has discovered that COVID-19 can survive outside of the human body on plastics and stainless steel for up to 72 hours, copper for 4 hours, and on cardboard or paper for 24 hours. 

With this information, we have a better understanding of what to avoid, what to clean, and when to disinfect. Everyone should feel safe inside their own apartment, so adding a few extra steps to your daily routine can help keep your apartment free of harmful germs. 

From the start of the pandemic, we have always been told to not touch our eyes, nose, or mouth while we're out, but many of us forget about the things we take with us. Our cellphones, keys, wallet, and other items can carry harmful bacteria and viruses back and transfer them onto the surfaces of our homes. When you return home, take a moment to remove your keys, phone, wallet, and other items from your pockets.

Always make sure the first thing you do is wash your hands for at least 20 seconds after coming home from being out. Once your hands are clean, you can use a disinfectant wipe to clean your phone, keys, wallet and any other items you had with you when you were out . 

Some experts have advised that you don't have to disinfect your groceries after you get home as long as you wash your hands upon arriving, before preparing a meal, and again before you eat. Still, it's not a bad idea as an added precaution. All produce should still be washed thoroughly before consuming.

One of the things that we tend to neglect to wipe down is our doorknob, which is the first thing your hand comes in contact with after you've been out. Give your outdoor and indoor knobs a wipe down with disinfectant when you get home to help stop others from coming into contact with germs from your doors. 

Help keep your apartment safe by continuing to clean and disinfect regularly, especially when returning home.