The global pandemic is responsible for causing a lot of unrest, and while many of us are currently under quarantine, we must still venture out to retrieve the essentials.

It can be risky to go out into public, especially when you need to make a trip to the grocery store. There’s nothing worse than the thought of getting sick while trying to maintain your health.

Amid the chaos, one doctor is recently gaining traction on YouTube for sharing his protection tips for a safe grocery shopping experience. Dr. Jeffrey VanWingen has shared some helpful insights on how to keep yourself guarded while out and about.

Follow along for his valuable information.

Tip 1: Wipe Down the Grocery Cart

The first thing you should do as soon as you hit the grocery store is to wipe down the basket or cart you’re using. Make sure you’re cleaning the handles and any other part that is often touched. Many stores offer a disinfectant wipe dispenser at the front doors to encourage this behavior right away. However, it never hurts to carry around back up wipes and sanitizer with you. Cleansing the cart will help prevent the spread of germs from the previous shopper to you.

Tip 2: Make a Grocery List Beforehand

It’s extremely beneficial if you’re able to go in knowing exactly what you want. This helps cut down on wandering aisles and unnecessarily touching food you don’t intend to buy. The less contact the better.

Tip 3: Shop for Two Weeks’ Worth of Groceries

The name of the game is minimizing your exposure to the public. It’s best to prevent multiple shopping trips in a week, and two weeks is even better. The less time you have to spend around other people the safer it is for everyone.

Tip 4: Don’t Automatically Bring the Groceries Inside

Dr. VanWingen offers a piece of advice that perhaps we hadn’t considered – avoid bringing your food into your house right away. If the items aren’t perishable, try to keep them outside, in a mudroom, or your garage. It doesn’t hurt to be too safe, and you can’t be sure to know if the packaging of items is contaminated. The prized time frame to keep them outside is three days.

Tip 5: Wipe Down the Packaging

Alternatively, or in addition, it can be beneficial to cleanse packages with disinfecting wipes. Doctors know now that the virus can live on surfaces for days. Make sure you do this before putting any items in your pantry or refrigerator.

Tip 6: Throw Away Unnecessary Packaging

For the same reasoning, it may be helpful to throw away and packages that you don’t need. Transfer your buys into Tupperware or better yet, consider buying in bulk if that’s still an option where you are. If you can lessen the number of new items being introduced into your home then do so.

Tip 7: Wash. Your. Hands.

This tip is surely the one thing you’ve already heard, and the one thing you’ll hear again and again. Washing your hands is a critical step in preventing the spread of germs. Use soap and warm water and wash them for at least twenty seconds.

Dr. VanWingen’s safe shopping tips have gone viral.

Since being posted, his video has had over 25 million views and 243 thousand likes. People everywhere are watching to make sure they stay informed.

Thinking about shopping soon? Watch the tips for yourself in the video below!

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Sources: Relieved, Forbes, YouTube/Jeffrey Vanwingen