Healthy New Year, Part 3

The Bathtub

A recent study found staphylococcus bacteria, a common cause of serious skin infections, in 26% of bathtubs tested, as compared with just 6% of garbage cans. Bathtubs had more than 100,000 bacteria per square inch. You're washing germs and viruses off your body. Since the tub is a fairly moist environment, it's an ideal place for bacteria to grow.

Ways to reduce the risk:

--Once a week, apply a disinfecting cleaner to the tub and actually scrub the tub.

--Then you need to wash the germs down the drain with water and dry the tub with a clean towel. If you leave the tub wet, germs are more likely to survive.

--If someone who has a skin infection uses the tub, scrub it afterward with a solution of 2 tablespoons bleach in one quart of water.

Next installment: Your handbag!