HANDWASHING

There’s an app for that!!!!

Straight from the CDC… “Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.”

Temporary and permanent germs live on our hands We pick up some germs that live on our skin for a short time; other germs are permanent residents on our skin. We can get rid of the temporary germs and greatly reduce the numbers of the permanent germs by good handwashing practices.

Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water.

When should you wash your hands?

Before and after preparing food

Before setting the table

Between handling different kinds of foods

Especially raw meats!

Before and after eating food

After using the toilet

After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet

Before and after tending to someone who is sick

After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

After handling an animal or animal waste

After handling garbage

After cleaning appliances or dishes

Before and after touching or treating a cut or wound

Handwashing is ESSENTIAL!

We’ve known this for a lonnggggg time! Dr. Ignatz Semmelweis, in 1847, demonstrated that "childbed fever" was contagious and that its incidence could be reduced form 13% to 2% or less by enforcing appropriate hand-washing behavior by medical care-givers.

Again, from the CDC… Handwashing can prevent infection and illness from spreading from family member to family member and, sometimes, throughout a community.

So, how do I wash my hands the right way????

Remove jewelry

Use warm water and wet your hands thoroughly

Use soap and lather very well

Remember, hum “Happy Birthday to You” to yourself twice  Scrub your hands, between your fingers, wrists, and forearms with soap for 20 seconds Remember, hum “Happy Birthday to You” to yourself twice 

Scrub under your nails

Rinse thoroughly

Turn off the faucet with a paper towel

Dry your hands with a single-use towel or air dryer

Protect your hands from touching dirty surfaces as you leave the bathroom

What about my nails? CDC says… “Appropriate hand hygiene includes diligently cleaning and trimming fingernails, which may harbor dirt and germs and can contribute to the spread of some infections, such as pinworms.”

“Fingernails should be kept short, and the undersides should be cleaned frequently with soap and water. Because of their length, longer fingernails can harbor more dirt and bacteria than short nails, thus potentially contributing to the spread of infection.”

So… “ Keep nails short and trim them often. Scrub the underside of nails with soap and water (or a nail brush) every time you wash your hands.”

Using alcohol-based hand sanitizers When your hands are visibly dirty, you should wash them with soap and warm water when available. However, if soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Apply product to the palm of one hand. Rub hands together. Rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until your hands are dry. Note: the volume needed to reduce the number of germs on hands varies by product.

Handwashing—It’s a little thing that does a huge thing.