You’re probably covered in germs before you even get to that store or office...

We’re often warned about germs on shopping carts and door knobs... 

...but a new study has analyzed and found some more germ hotspots in common U.S. metropolitan areas. Here are the surfaces they swabbed for illness-causing bacteria which are considered high-risk:

• Gas pump handles 

• Mailbox handles

• Escalator rails 

• ATM buttons 

• Parking meters and kiosks

• Crosswalk buttons

• Vending machine buttons

Charles Gerba, professor of microbiology at the University of Arizona, said the tests underscore the importance of maintaining good hand hygiene, noting that most of us don’t realize how many germs we’re exposed to just getting there and back.