Small businesses can take special precautions against flu

— -- It's all over the news, even if it's not all over your town. You can't read a newspaper, turn on TV, radio, or the Internet, even get on Twitter, without being barraged with information — and scare tactics — about swine flu. But how can swine flu affect you and your small business?

While there's little chance of getting infected, it's wise to take precautions. Of course, follow advice that's being given to everyone — wash your hands frequently, cover your mouth when you cough, try to avoid touching your face or mouth. But here's a swine flu guide specifically for small business, depending on the type of business you're in.

• Hospitality industry: restaurants, bars, hotels, travel. You come in contact with lots of people, many frequent travelers. At any time, these are the most likely to be carriers of illnesses. Be particularly fastidious about washing your hands and getting your employees to wash theirs. Take hand-washing breaks at least a few times an hour. (You need to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with hot water and soap.) Consider distributing hand sanitizing packets to customers at your place of business. Frankly, try to avoid shaking hands whenever it doesn't seem rude.

• Personal service businesses, such as hairdressers, housecleaning services, child-care businesses. You come in very close contact with people who may be ill; visualize standing over someone at a sink while washing her hair. In some cases, it may be useful to wear a face mask. Get a box of disposable gloves and wear them. If you work with children, take extra precautions now. Every day, wash desks, toys, dishes in antibacterial soap.

• Small companies. Watch your kitchen or lunch room. Most small businesses don't have dishwashers, so remind employees to wash all dishes and cups in very hot water and antibacterial dish soap. Make sure your employees stay home if they're sick. That includes you! I had a horrible cold a few weeks ago and only took a couple days out of the office. Today, I'd force myself to work from home longer.