Following the outbreak of the deadly coronavirus, the World Health Organization started advising people to use personal protective equipment (PPE) in public. Other practices like social distancing can also help reduce the spread of the virus, but for frontline caregivers, such as health workers, protective equipment is the most viable option.
There are different types of PPE that can help protect you from COVID-19 and other contagious diseases as well. However, there are vital things that you should know about PPE before you buy them. Read on to learn more about PPE.
Disposable Versus Reusable PPE
PPE consists of different items that include the following: face masks, respirators, gloves, gowns, face shields, hand sanitizers, and disinfectants. As the name suggests, the equipment is designed for use by one person before disposal. However, you should also note that there is a distinction between disposable and reusable PPE. For reusable PPE, you must consider high quality and durable items since you can use them for a longer period. You must carefully clean all reusable equipment and keep it in a safe place.
When you are performing dirty tasks, you should have appropriate disposable suits to avoid laundry costs. When you dispose of used items, make sure you do it properly. The other thing that you should know is that you cannot share PPE since this can accelerate the spread of diseases. It is essential to keep your protective equipment in a safe place away from the reach of children.
Consider Buying Bulk Orders
The cost of PPE significantly varies depending on several factors. For instance, high-quality products are costly, but you can get them at a discount if you buy them in bulk. The professionals behind DMBSupply explain that bulk orders come at a lower price, so you might want to consider buying a large quantity of different protective items and split the price with your friends or family members. Before you purchase PPE, you must first inquire if the supplier offers wholesale prices for products bought in large quantities.
Get PPE From Certified Suppliers
You must ensure that you buy FDA certified PPE to avoid fake products that can only prove to be ineffective after wasting your money. During an outbreak of a pandemic, some unscrupulous dealers always try to find ways to make money off of the dire situation, hence, the proliferation of substandard products.
Maintenance
You must properly maintain your PPE, and you can achieve this by doing several things. It is vital to store your protective equipment in a cool and dry place. You must use original replacement parts such as filters for equipment like respirators. Also, you need to make sure that the equipment is serviced by expert technicians.
The outbreak of the coronavirus has impacted people all over the world, and it has drastically altered our way of life. While social distancing can help reduce the spread of the virus, personal protective equipment can go a long way in providing effective protection until this crisis is over. Employees in all sectors should always wear their PPE to protect themselves, their colleagues, and their families.
