As the holiday season arrives, so does a predictable rise in cold, flu, RSV, and other respiratory illnesses. With more travel, more gatherings, and more high-touch surface interaction, pathogens spread quickly through schools, offices, transportation hubs, and healthcare environments.
The good news? With the right combination of strong hand hygiene and advanced surface disinfection, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of illness — protecting both people and operations.
At EMist, our mission is to help create cleaner, healthier spaces through science-backed electrostatic technology and easy-to-implement infection-prevention practices.
Why Illness Spreads More Easily During Winter
Cold-weather months bring together several factors that increase exposure:
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Crowded indoor environments
More time spent inside means more shared air and surfaces. -
Increased travel and gatherings
Airports, hotels, public transport, and group events create high-contact scenarios. -
Lower humidity
Dry air helps viruses survive longer on surfaces. -
Reduced immune response
Shorter days and winter stress can weaken immunity.
Understanding these risks helps facilities plan smarter and act proactively.
Step 1: Prioritize Hand Hygiene
Hand hygiene remains one of the simplest and most effective ways to stop the spread of germs.
Encourage your teams and guests to:
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Wash hands for at least 20 seconds
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Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water aren’t available
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Avoid touching their face
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Keep hand-sanitizing stations in high-traffic areas
When hand hygiene is consistent, you create the first—and strongest—line of defense.
Step 2: Disinfect High-Touch Surfaces Consistently
Pathogens can survive on surfaces for hours or even days. This includes:
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Door handles & elevator buttons
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Desks, counters, and break room surfaces
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Fitness equipment
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Tablets, phones, and shared tools
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Public seating areas
Routine cleaning helps, but uneven coverage is one of the biggest challenges with traditional spray-and-wipe methods.
That’s where electrostatic technology changes the game.
Step 3: Upgrade to Electrostatic Disinfection for Complete Coverage
EMist’s patented electrostatic sprayers apply disinfectant with a positive charge, allowing it to wrap 360° around surfaces — even the hard-to-reach backside of objects.
Benefits of EMist Electrostatic Systems
✔ Covers more surface area in less time
✔ Uses up to 75% less chemicals
✔ Provides consistent, uniform coverage
✔ Scientifically validated to reduce pathogens
✔ Safe for schools, healthcare, transportation, and public facilities
Compared to traditional methods, electrostatic application is faster, more efficient, and more reliable — making it ideal for winter months when illness peaks.
Step 4: Use EPA-Registered Disinfectants
To effectively kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria, organizations should use EPA-registered disinfectants that are approved for cold, flu, RSV, and similar pathogens.
EMist sprayers pair seamlessly with a wide range of compatible EPA-registered solutions to help you meet compliance requirements and maintain consistent results.
Creating Safer Environments All Season Long
Whether you manage one building or hundreds, winter illness prevention doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right tools and simple, consistent habits, you can significantly reduce risk and help keep people healthier.
Your winter prevention checklist:
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🧼 Promote strong hand hygiene
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🦠 Disinfect high-touch surfaces daily
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🔌 Use EMist electrostatic sprayers for complete coverage
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🧪 Choose EPA-registered disinfectants
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🏥 Stay proactive through high-risk months
At EMist, we’re here to support cleaner, healthier, safer environments — all season long.
