May 5 is World Hand Hygiene Day. Washing with soap and water, or using hand sanitizer is the most effective way to prevent the spread germs. We want you to know that it is important to clean your hands often. When should you clean your hands? The
World Health Organization recommends that you clean your hands:
- Before eating
- Before, during, and after preparing food
- After using the bathroom
- After coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose, or caring for someone who is ill
- After taking out the garbage
- After petting animals
- When visiting someone who is sick
- Whenever your hands look or feel dirty
Are you cleaning your hands correctly? If not, here are some tips courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them, and use a paper towel to turn off the faucet, and then throw it away.
If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, but sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs.
- Apply the product to the palm of one hand.
- Rub your hands together.
- Rub the product over all surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry.