According to health professionals, washing your hands is one of the top ways to protect you and your family from sickness and spreading illness.
Frequent and correct hand washing is simple if you take your time and know the steps to ensure your hands are clean and free of germs. Below you can review best practices to efficiently wash your hands.
When to wash your hands
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Before you prepare or eat food
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After using the toilet
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After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
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After handling animals or animal food
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After touching an open wound or caring for an ill person
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When your hands are visibly dirty
How to wash your hands
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Use clean running water to wet your hands and apply antibacterial soap
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Be sure the soap suds cover all of your hands, including between your fingers, fingernails, thumbs and the back of your hands
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Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds (pick your favorite song and sing it while you wash your hands)
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Rinse your hands under clean running water and let air dry
If you care for children, it is important to remember that they need to be washing their hands regularly as well. Children touch many things throughout the day and will not recognize that their hands are dirty. If you are caring for a baby remember to always wash your hands after changing their diaper.
Hand washing has always been an essential step to staying healthy but with the risk of COVID-19 it is even more important. Be sure to wash your hands if you have been out in public or have touched frequently used surfaces such as light switches, door handles and credit card machines.
If you do not have access to running water alcohol-based hand sanitizer will work, although not as efficiently as properly washing your hands. When using hand sanitizer, rub the gel thoroughly all over your hands until they feel dry.
Washing your hands is one of the most critical steps you can take to protect yourself and loves ones. Be sure to do it effectively and frequently throughout your day!
RESOURCES
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/hand-washing/art-20046253