What Are the Dangers of Public Restrooms?

A public restroom is not the safest place to relieve yourself, but you may not have another choice at certain times and in certain locations. Public restrooms are filled with germs, bacteria and viruses. Knowing the dangers of public restrooms is important since they pose many health hazards.

Sinks

• Sinks in public bathrooms can be unsanitary because people immediately use their dirty hands to turn on the faucet after using the bathroom. Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet after washing your hands. Also, the accumulation of water on sinks allows tiny organisms to breed and spread more germs.

Toilet Flushers

• Toilet flush handles are one of the most unsanitary tools in a public restroom because they are often the first thing people touch after relieving themselves. Use your shoe to flush the toilet instead of your hands. In addition, the germs in feces can be launched into the air when a toilet is flushed. Individuals should leave the stall immediately after they have flushed to avoid contracting any germs.

Doorknobs

• Doorknobs in public restrooms can be contaminated with germs because not everyone washes their hands after using the toilet. To avoid polluting your hands with germs, take a napkin and lay it over the doorknob before opening it. Everyone should get in the habit of washing their hands after using the bathroom to reduce the spread of germs in public restrooms.

Floors

• The bad odors in public restrooms are often caused by the urine in the tile grouting, according to Health Guidance, a health resource website. The floors in a public restroom must be cleaned at least once a day to get rid of the uric acid salts that attract bacteria. Always wear shoes when entering a public restroom and never leave any bags or purses on the floor.