Prevent Spreading Viruses and Infection

Proper hand washing can stop spread 99% of the germs that travel via droplets, and that covers a lot of illnesses, including most flu viruses.  It’s important to wash your hands:

• Before, during, and after you prepare food especially if you will hold raw meat or fresh eggs;
• Before you eat;
• After sneezing, coughing, or using a handkerchief or tissue;
• After you use the bathroom, whether you will sit on the bowl or not;
• After holding/playing with your pet, especially after handling its waste;
• After handling garbage;
• Before and after changing a baby’s diaper

How you wash your hands is just as important as when you wash them, especially when it comes to eliminating germs. Just rinsing hands quickly is not enough.  Follow these steps when you wash your hands:

1. Wash your hands for at least 30 seconds in warm water and with soap. Bacteria and viruses bind to the soap. Point your fingertips toward the bottom of the sink. Keep your hands lower than your elbows so the soap, water, and germs run down the drain, not down your arms.  Small children may need to stand on a stool in order to get their elbows higher than their hands.
2. Pay special attention to your fingernails, between your fingers, and areas that look dirty.
3. Don’t touch anything while you are washing your hands.
4. Rinse your hands and wrists well, then dry them with a clean towel. Paper towels are best because they can be thrown away. Let the water run while you dry your hands.
5. Use the towel to turn off the water; don’t touch the faucet with your clean, dry hands.

Unsure if you have scrubbed for 30 seconds? Sing “Happy Birthday” to yourself twice while washing your hands :)

(Proper washing steps courtesy of The Health Pages)