Everyday public devices silently spread diseases around the world and how to protect yourself.
Most disease transmission does not come from dramatic moments. It comes from routine. Habits repeated so many times that no one notices anymore.
Medical and public health research consistently shows that human hands are the primary vehicle of global disease transmission and account for the majority of common infections, from colds and flu to gastrointestinal illnesses and skin infections. In public spaces, a contaminated hand can transmit germs to surfaces that will be touched by hundreds or even thousands of people in a single day.
These devices and technologies are part of modern life. They are not the enemy. The problem is thoughtless use.
Below are 50 public devices, technologies and shared surfaces with a high potential for disease transmission, each explained in everyday terms, with practical solutions that everyday people can realistically apply.
1. ATM keyboards and touch screens
Transmission route
Use after handling cash, phones, or wiping sweat and nose. Rarely disinfected.
Solutions
-
Use disposable tissues, disposable gloves or knuckles.
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Disinfect hands immediately after
2. Public door handles and knobs
Transmission route
Hands that cough, sneeze, or wipe their nose touch the handle before you do.
Solutions
3. Public Toilet Flush Buttons and Handles
Transmission route
Touched immediately after going to the bathroom, often before washing hands.
Solutions
4. Bathroom Sink Faucets and Faucets
Transmission route
Dirty hands turn on the tap. With clean hands turn it off.
Solutions
5. Soap dispensers in public bathrooms
Transmission route
Pressed with contaminated hands before applying soap.
Solutions
6. Hand dryer buttons
Transmission route
Touched with wet hands, which transfer germs more easily.
Solutions
-
Use paper towels
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Press with your elbow
7. Elevator buttons
Transmission route
Hundreds of presses daily, especially in offices and hospitals.
Solutions
8. Bus and train stop buttons
Transmission route
People wipe their noses, cough into their hands, and then press the button.
Solutions
9. Handrails on buses, trains and escalators
Transmission route
Continuous shared contact.
Solutions
-
Hold briefly
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Avoid touching your face
-
Disinfect afterwards
10. Shopping Cart Handles
Transmission route
Handled by adults and children, often while eating or sneezing.
Solutions
11. Card payment terminals
Transmission route
Shared PIN pads are touched before eating or handling food.
Solutions
-
Use contactless payment
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Wash your hands after
12. Public Touch Screen Kiosks
Transmission route
ATMs and ticket machines were constantly being touched.
Solutions
13. Public telephones
Transmission route
Direct contact with mouth and hands.
Solutions
-
Avoid if possible
-
Wash your hands after
14. Public computer keyboards and mice
Transmission route
Prolonged contact time allows the transfer of bacteria and viruses.
Solutions
-
Clean surfaces before use.
-
Disinfect your hands afterwards
15. Gym Equipment Handles
Transmission route
Bacteria from sweat and skin accumulate quickly.
Solutions
16. Public Water Fountain Buttons
Transmission route
Button pressed just before drinking.
Solutions
-
Avoid contact with mouth
-
Use personal bottle
17. Stair railings
Transmission route
It is often overlooked and overused.
Solutions
-
Avoid touching your face
-
Wash your hands after
18. Shared office phones
Transmission route
Contact with hands and mouth throughout the day.
Solutions
-
Clean before use
-
Avoid touching your face
19. Shared pens in banks and offices
Transmission route
It went hand in hand all day.
Solutions
-
Bring your own pen
-
Disinfect your hands afterwards
20. Public bench armrests
Transmission route
Hands rest on contaminated surfaces while waiting.
Solutions
21. Door Push Plates
Transmission route
Large surface touched by many.
Solutions
22. Hotel remote controls
Transmission route
It is rarely cleaned between guests.
Solutions
-
Clean upon arrival
-
Wash your hands frequently
23. Vending machine buttons
Transmission route
Food is consumed immediately after touching it.
Solutions
24. Public Restroom Door Locks
Transmission route
Touched after washing hands, re-contaminating them.
Solutions
-
Use tissues to unlock
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Dispose of properly
25. Shared Store Signature Tablets and Pads
Transmission route
Many users, little cleaning.
Solutions
26. Children's play equipment
Transmission route
Children touch and then put their hands to their mouths.
Solutions
-
Wash your hands after playing.
-
Avoid snacks immediately
27. Taxi and rideshare door handles
Transmission route
Constant passenger rotation.
Solutions
28. Gas Station Pump Handles
Transmission route
Driven by countless drivers, rarely cleaned.
Solutions
-
Use disposable gloves
-
Disinfect your hands afterwards
29. Shared Office Printers and Copiers
Transmission route
Buttons and trays touched all day.
Solutions
30. Public trash can lids
Transmission route
Direct contact with surfaces exposed to waste.
Solutions
-
Use pedals
-
Avoid contact with hands
31. Public ATM Receipt Buttons
Transmission route
It is pressed immediately after using the keyboard.
Solutions
-
Reject receipts
-
disinfect hands
32. Restaurant Menu Books
Transmission route
Served by many diners before eating.
Solutions
33. Condiment bottles in restaurants
Transmission route
Handled repeatedly during meals.
Solutions
34. Shared Office Break Room Appliances
Microwave, refrigerator handles, kettles.
Transmission route
Touched before handling food.
Solutions
-
Wash your hands before eating
-
Clean handles regularly
35. Public Mailboxes and Handles
Transmission route
Touched by many throughout the day.
Solutions
36. Library Book Return Slots
Transmission route
High contact surfaces.
Solutions
37. Public charging stations
Transmission route
Hands repeatedly plug and unplug devices.
Solutions
38. Shared headphones in public spaces
Transmission route
Contact with ears and hands.
Solutions
39. Public parking meter buttons
Transmission route
Used by many drivers.
Solutions
-
Use contactless apps
-
disinfect hands
40. Public ticket validation machines
Transmission route
Pressured by travelers constantly.
Solutions
-
Use knuckle or card
-
clean hands
41. School desk surfaces
Transmission route
Hands rest on desks for hours.
Solutions
-
Regular cleaning
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Hand hygiene breaks
42. Shared Classroom Supplies
Scissors, rulers, markers.
Transmission route
Approved among students.
Solutions
43. Changing tables in public bathrooms
Transmission route
Contact with body fluids.
Solutions
-
Use disposable liners
-
Wash your hands well
44. Rubber Hand Belts for Escalators
Transmission route
Constantly moving surface touched by many.
Solutions
45. Public self-service food utensils
Buffets and salad bars.
Transmission route
Several hands touching serving tools.
Solutions
46. Shared Office Chair Armrests
Transmission route
The hands rest without knowing it.
Solutions
47. Public Drinking Cup Dispensers
Transmission route
Hands touch several cups.
Solutions
-
Have just one cup
-
clean hands
48. Public ATM Receipt Slots
Transmission route
Hands reach into contaminated openings.
Solutions
-
Avoid reaching
-
disinfect hands
49. Street light switches
Transmission route
Played repeatedly throughout the day.
Solutions
-
Use knuckles or elbows.
-
clean hands
50. Shared objects of prayer or ceremony
Books, rugs, handles.
Transmission route
Repeated community use.
Solutions
Previous generations lived with fewer technologies but with stronger habits. The cleanup was not treated as an emergency response. It was a daily discipline.
Modern life depends on shared devices. That reality is not changing. What can change is the consideration with which we interact with them.
A handkerchief. A pause. Clean hands. These small, consistent habits are quietly protecting families, communities, and public health around the world. Read how to use hand sanitizer here.
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