It’s that dreaded time of year again ⎯ flu season. And with the H1N1 “swine” flu in the news, it’s probably a good idea to be extra aware of how to take precautions against the illness to keep it from spreading. The federal government is one step ahead on that front; they’ve issued a set of guidelines for how to effectively and safely clean truck cabs when drivers become stricken with the virus.

The flu virus can stick around on nonporous surfaces for 24 hours or more, so good “hand hygiene, cough etiquette and respiratory hygiene” are the best ways to prevent transmission of the virus to the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services says. Regular cleaning and disinfection of your truck’s interior will further help reduce the virus’s spread.

Good ol’ fashion cleaning with soap and water is recommended first to remove dirt and debris from inside truck cabs, followed by disinfection of the area with household products. These simple steps will go a long way in keeping the virus contained, says the HHS.

In the event of any bodily fluid “spillage,” the guidance suggests wearing non-sterile disposable gloves or other personal protective equipment to avoid contamination. In these cases, cover the spill with some absorbent gelling powder or even paper towels, place the refuse in a leak-proof bag, and discard in a covered container. Next, let the cleaning begin! For porous surfaces like bedding or carpets, carefully remove and then launder.

In case you think you might miss a spot, the guidance also details the most frequently-touched interior surfaces you should pay attention to (cab door switches, CB mike and knobs, sleeper divider curtains, cub holders, etc) as well as a list of EPA-registered disinfectants designed to kill blood borne and body fluid pathogens.

Click here to read the guidance in full. The Flu.gov website is a handy website you may want to bookmark and read into more later; it has some other tools you may find useful this flu season, including an H1N1 Flu Self-Evaluation Test, information on the flu vaccine, and prevention basics videos (demonstrated by Sesame Street’s Elmo!).