Introduction Washing your hands is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs and stay healthy. Germs can spread through contact with contaminated hands, surfaces, or objects. Washing your hands removes germs and helps prevent infection.
Health Benefits Hand washing can help prevent:
- Respiratory infections like the common cold, flu, and pneumonia
- Gastrointestinal infections like diarrhea, vomiting, and food poisoning
- Skin infections like impetigo and ringworm
- Eye infections like conjunctivitis
Hand washing is especially important for people at high risk for infection, such as children, the elderly, people with chronic health conditions, and those who work in healthcare or food service.
How to Wash Your Hands The CDC recommends washing your hands often with soap and water. Here are the steps:
- Wet your hands with clean running water (warm or cold).
- Apply soap and lather your hands by rubbing them together. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Sing “Happy Birthday” twice as a timer.
- Rinse your hands well under clean running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Additional Tips
- Wash your hands before, during, and after preparing food.
- Wash your hands after using the toilet.
- Wash your hands after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Wash your hands after changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet.
- Wash your hands after touching an animal or animal waste.
- Wash your hands before and after treating a cut or wound.
- Wash your hands before and after caring for someone who is sick.
By following these tips, you can help keep yourself and others healthy and prevent the spread of germs.
Sources:
- news.gcu.edu/2017/09/fitness-facts-coldflu-treatment-proper-handwashing/
- issuu.com/confederatedumatillajournal/docs/covid-19-special-report-march-2020
- www.facebook.com/elgiaircompressors/?pageid=1177120492310816&ftentidentifier=3136751496347696&padding=0