Cold and flu season is here—and this year, facility leaders are under pressure to keep environments safe and healthy. Health officials are tracking a new H3N2 strain that emerged in June, several months after this season’s flu vaccines were finalized. The variant is already fueling outbreaks in Canada and the U.K., and experts warn the U.S. could be next.
Now is the time to take a fresh look at your janitorial cleaning program and consider targeted high-touch disinfection as part of your overall strategy. Whether you oversee office buildings, distribution facilities, healthcare clinics, or retail environments--your customers, visitors and occupants expect visible, proactive measures that prioritize their well-being.
Here are four key things for facility managers to consider this season:
1. Add high-touch disinfection to your cleaning plan
Focus on shared spaces such as restrooms, breakrooms, lobbies, and elevators—areas where contamination accumulates and touchpoints converge. Research shows that influenza A and B viruses can survive on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours, underscoring the importance of consistent surface disinfection during peak flu season. Layering targeted disinfection over your baseline cleaning routine builds a stronger, more resilient line of defense.
2. Increase visibility and communication
Occupants notice when cleaning is visible and proactive. Keeping hand-hygiene stations stocked, posting signage, and sharing updates about your efforts can make a measurable difference. Even small gestures, such as explaining why enhanced cleaning is in place, help people feel seen, cared for, and safe.
3. Educate your staff and service partners
A “cleaning for health” culture is only as strong as the people behind it. Regular reminders on proper hand hygiene, disinfectant dwell times, and safe chemical use reinforce best practices. Engaging both internal teams and vendor partners ensures infection prevention becomes a consistent daily habit, not a response triggered only when cases spike.
4. Plan ahead for flexibility
The CDC notes that flu and RSV peaks may shift and overlap this season, which means your cleaning frequency and scope may need to adapt quickly. Establish clear triggers, escalation protocols, and budget flexibility now so your facility stays prepared—not reactive—as conditions evolve.
A Smarter Way to Stay Ahead This Season
Cold and flu season doesn’t have to be difficult or stretch your staff too thin. With KBS, facility leaders gain a trusted partner built for scale, trained in infection prevention, and equipped with high-touch disinfection programs that flex as conditions evolve. Our people-plus-technology approach delivers consistent, data-driven performance across every site—and it’s why 47% of the Fortune 100 rely on KBS to help keep their environments clean, healthy, and resilient.
Ready to strengthen your facility’s cold- and flu-season plan?
Enhance safety and confidence this season with targeted, high-touch disinfection support. Reach out to the KBS team today to get started.
