CARSTAR collision repair centers throughout Colorado are offering free vehicle sanitization services to healthcare workers and first responders on the front lines of the coronavirus battle.
“We owe a debt of gratitude to those who are putting their lives on the line to help face the coronavirus challenge,” said Steve Rigsby, director of business development for the CARSTAR Colorado Business Group. “This is our way of saying ‘thank you’ for their service. We always want to do everything we can to keep drivers safe on the road. Now, it’s even more important that these frontline workers have safe, clean vehicles to get them to work and to take care of their families.”
At any of the 10 CARSTAR locations in the Denver and Colorado Springs areas, first responders and healthcare workers can receive a free, complete interior and exterior sanitization and disinfectant service for their vehicle. There is no requirement for any additional purchases or repair service with the special offer.
Vehicle interiors normally contain many different kinds of surfaces, from leather and metal to rubber and plastic. The virus can spread while sharing airspace with an infected person, the surfaces the person touched or even the airspace after an infected passenger has left. Some early reports suggest that the virus can persist in the air for up to three hours and for two to three days on stainless steel and plastic surfaces. Another study on a related coronavirus that causes SARS found that the virus can survive on inanimate surfaces like metal, glass or plastic for up to nine days.
To combat this in frontline workers’ vehicles, CARSTAR is using a product called Vital Oxide, an EPA-approved disinfectant and viral sanitizer. The product is commonly used in hospitals, pharmacies, laboratories, ambulances and other virally sensitive environments. The CARSTAR technicians use a process called “fogging” on the vehicle interior with Vital Oxide to ensure total vehicle coverage. The product and process are safe for all vehicle interiors. The procedure also includes:
- Fogging all handles, controls and “high-touch” areas, both interior and exterior
- Physical wipedown of all primary interior controls such as steering wheel, shifter handle, turn signal and wiper controls, window switches or handles, along with any seat adjusters ( both front and rear seats)
- Final viral treatment wipedown on your vehicle exterior handles, lock cylinders, rear hatch handles and other frequently touched surfaces
All CARSTAR team members are using the EPA and OSHA guidelines for proper personal protective equipment (PPE) including gloves, eyewear, mask and coveralls throughout the process.
Healthcare workers and first responders who want to take advantage of the service should call the preferred location to make an appointment.
Participating Colorado locations are available here with the exception of Ft. Collins. Participants will need to show their badge or employee ID at time of service. Also, the vehicle must be clean on the interior and free of excessive personal items and debris.
The sanitization process takes approximately 30 minutes, and participants can drop off their vehicle for service or wait in the lobby, providing they wear a mask.
To learn more about the CARSTAR locations of Colorado, visit here.
CARSTAR is actively seeking new franchise partners. Interested parties should call (844) 906-9764 or visit CARSTARfranchise.com.
