SINGAPORE - Experts give five tips to maintaining hygiene and safety practices at home before and while receiving visitors during Chinese New Year.

1. Use gloves and masks for spring cleaning

Before handling cleaning and disinfecting agents such as bleach and chlorine, you should put on gloves and a mask, as inhaling the fumes from these chemicals could be harmful your health.

2. Use appropriate disinfecting agents

Check that the disinfectant is child-safe, chemical-free and certified to eliminate harmful bacteria, viruses, organic odours and fungus.

Dr Goh Lit Ching, a resident physician at private medical centre Icon Health Screening, says people can also use disinfectants containing benzalkonium or alcohol to wipe door knobs, switches, and the floor as "they are most effective against the coronavirus".

3. Ensure a well-ventilated environment and maintain good posture while cleaning

Dust particles that stay stagnant in the household can aggravate chronic medical conditions such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, and eczema, Dr Goh notes.Windows and shades should be open while cleaning.

Maintaining a good posture is also crucial to prevent muscle injury or sprain that will affect your activities during the festive season.

"Use appropriate equipment such as a stable ladder if you must reach certain heights in the house," she advises.

Bending at the hips and knees instead of the back while lifting heavy boxes can also help prevent back pain and injury, she adds.

4. Practise hygiene while handling food

Dr Raymond Fong, chief and senior consultant at Changi General Hospital's Department of Infectious Diseases, says equipment and utensils for food preparation and cooking can be thoroughly cleansed by using virucidal disinfectants with 0.05 per cent sodium hypochlorite.

When preparing food or drinks for guests, wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling food packaging, says Dr Goh. Separate raw and cooked food ingredients during the preparation stage to prevent contamination.

Dr Fong stresses that food, especially meat, seafood and eggs, must be cooked thoroughly. "These foods can carry germs that cause food poisoning, which can be particularly dangerous to the young, elderly, pregnant and those with low immunity," he says.

Leftovers, Dr Goh says, should be stored in airtight containers or ziplock bags.

Depending on the type of food, they can be stored in the freezer or chiller compartment. Products such as baked cookies and tarts can be stored at room temperature.

5. Serve individually packed or portioned snacks and drinks

Dr Fong says: "Sharing snacks from common containers may result in contamination by saliva on fingers or droplets from coughing, talking or sneezing. "Container surfaces should be frequently sanitised with wipes, especially after a batch of guests have left."