Action Line #90911 -- Playground Cleaning

Published Oct. 19, 2009
By 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- Complaint:

With the fear of swine flu and other illnesses going around wouldn't it be a great idea to disinfect the playgrounds weekly? I have a playground in my backyard and children are playing, sneezing, coughing all day long. I do not believe I have ever seen anyone clean the equipment. Would it be possible to get some sort of disinfecting solution sprayed over the playgrounds weekly?

Response:

The CDC has published a Technical Report for State and Local Public Health Officials and Child Care and Early Childhood Providers at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/childcare/technical.htm. They recommend normal cleaning of toys and play areas inside, but does not believe any additional disinfection of environmental surfaces beyond the recommended routine cleaning is required. For example, the Influenza A can only infect a person for 2 to 8 hours after being deposited on the surface. Unless we clean the surfaces several times a day, additional cleanings are for the most part ineffective.

The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get a seasonal flu vaccination each year.