FRAMINGHAM – Residents should take precautions when filling up their gas tanks, during this coronavirus pandemic.
Touching the pump handle and payment keypad should be avoided by bare hands.
Pump handles and credit card keypads, which are high-touch areas, could have the virus present, which experts say can stay alive for hours or even days on hard surfaces.
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Consider wearing disposable nitrile or latex gloves when gripping the pump handle. Worst case wear winter gloves. If you wear winter gloves, make sure to avoid your face after pumping gas or touching the keypads and wash the gloves when you get home.
Or use a barrier (like holding a Clorox Wipe) when using the gas pump or keypads.
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If you pump with your hands, use hand sanitizer immediately after pumping gas. Or wash your hands immediately after pumping gas, and wipe down your steering wheel and door handle when you get home.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and failing that, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
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Photo courtesy of Everett Police
MetroWest Medical Center