Prevent Infection
Prevent infection with hand-washing. Sometimes we do not think about one of the easiest ways to prevent spreading illness and avoid getting sick: hand-washing. We are able to clean our hands with soap and water or by using a hand sanitizer. Germs can come in the form of bacteria, viruses or other microbes that get onto our hands when we touch other people or things. Once the germs are on our hands, we can touch our eyes, mouth, or nose and become infected.
It is important to wash our hands before eating, before preparing food, and before touching our face, eyes, nose or mouth.
We always want to wash our hands after we make food, especially if we are handling raw meat or chicken. We must wash our hands after we use the restroom or change a diaper, touch animals, their toys, leash, or waste. It is best to cough or sneeze into our inner elbow (not our hands) and to remember to wash our hands after blowing our nose or if we cough or sneeze onto our hands. Wash your hands whenever they look dirty.
Using soap and water to wash your hands is best.
1. Wet your hands with running water
2. Apply soap.
3. Rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds. Remember to wash the backs of your hands, between your fingers, under your fingernails and your wrists.
4. Rinse with running water
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or an air dryer
6. Use your towel to turn off the faucet
October 15th is National Hand Washing Day.