Why is it important to disinfect often-touched surfaces like door handles and faucet handles?

• A. To remove odors.
• B. To reduce the spread of germs.
• C. To make surfaces shinier.
• D. To conserve water.

Answer: (B)

Disinfecting frequently touched surfaces is important because it helps stop germs from spreading. When door handles and faucet handles are touched by many people, germs can linger there. If someone else touches the same surface and then touches their face, those germs can enter the body and cause illness. A disinfectant kills or inactivates many of those germs, reducing the chance that they’ll be passed along in shared spaces. For best effect, follow the product directions, keep the surface wet for the required contact time, and let it air dry.

Other options don’t capture the main goal. Odors come from substances that cleaning or deodorizing handles, and shininess is about appearance from polishing rather than reducing illness. Conserving water is about using less water, not about stopping the spread of germs.