How to Wash Your Hands Properly
Chances are you have been washing your own hands for quite a while. All it takes is a little soap and some water, right? Actually, there is a bit more to hand washing. Find out how to wash your hands correctly and why it matters so much.
Here's Why
The single most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick and to stop the spread of disease-causing germs is to wash your hands often. By frequently washing your hands, you wash away germs that you may have picked up from other people or from contaminated surfaces. One of the most common ways people catch colds and the flu is by rubbing their noses or eyes after their hands have been contaminated with the cold or flu virus. More frequent hand washing may be able to reduce the spread of the these viruses. Some studies show that when children are taught to carefully wash their hands school absenteeism is reduced, even more so when alcohol-based hand rubs are combined with hand washing.
You cannot see germs with the naked eye, so wash your hands often. Especially important times include:
- Before, during, and after you prepare food
- Before you eat
- After you use the bathroom
- After you change a diaper
- After handling animals or animal waste
- When your hands are dirty
- More frequently when someone in your home is sick
Here's How
To properly wash your hands, follow these simple steps:
- First, wet your hands with warm water and apply liquid soap, or lather hands with a clean bar of soap.
- Next, rub your hands together vigorously and scrub all surfaces. Also clean under your fingernails to help control germs. Keep fingernails trimmed and short.
- Continue for at least 15 seconds or about the length of a little tune (for example: the "Happy Birthday" song). It is the soap combined with the scrubbing action that helps dislodge and remove germs.
- Rinse your hands well and dry them.
Note: When soap is not readily available, alcohol-based hand rubs offer a quick and easy alternative. No water is needed. Just squirt some into the palm of your hand and rub your hands all over until they are dry.
RESOURCES:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov
United States Department of Health and Human Services
http://www.hhs.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian National Occupation Health and Safety Resource
http://www.ccohs.ca/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php
References:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/.
Guinan M, McGuckin M, Ali Y. The effect of a comprehensive handwashing program on absenteeism in elementary schools. Am J Infect Control. 2002 Jun;30(4):217-20.
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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