Hands are responsible for the spread of 80% of common infectious diseases. Hand-washing remains one of the easiest and cheapest ways to prevent the spread of bacteria. 1 in 5 people don't wash their hands and of those that do only 30% use soap.
The importance of hand-washing was discovered only 150 years ago. Hand-washing is still the best way to prevent respiratory and infectious diseases that are transmitted by hand to mouth (or hand to nose/eye contact.) Disposable paper towels (or air drying) should be used in a public facility as the use of ‘communal’ towels can lead to contamination.
Soap acts as a vehicle to trap viruses and bacteria that are loosened by the act of rubbing your hands together under water. These germs can then be rinsed away by the water. You can help yourself and your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often especially during key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:
·
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
·
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used
the toilet
·
After handling pet food or pet treats
·
After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
·
After touching garbage
·
After using the toilet
·
At
the end of each work/school period
·
Before and after caring
for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
·
Before and after
treating a cut or wound
·
Before
each break
·
Before eating food
·
Before, during, and after
preparing food
·
Whenever hands
are dirty or contaminated
Healthcare
workers must follow a stricter hand washing process:
·
After body fluid exposure/risk
·
After touching a patient
·
After touching patient surroundings
·
Before clean/aseptic procedures
·
Before
touching a patient
Follow these steps every time for
effective handwashing:
o
Scrub your hands
for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from
beginning to end twice.
o
Wet your hands with clean, running
water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
o
Lather your hands
by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between
your fingers, and under your nails.
o
Rinse your hands
well under clean, running water.
o
Dry your hands using a clean towel or
air dry them. (The skin should
always be properly dried to avoid risk of chapping particularly during cold
weather.)
You can use an alcohol-based hand
sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not
available. Sanitizers can quickly
reduce the number of germs on hands in many situations. Sanitizers do not get rid of all types of germs. Hand
sanitizers may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy. Hand
sanitizers might not remove harmful chemicals from hands like pesticides and
heavy metals.
Follow these steps everytime for effective hand
sanitizer use:
·
Apply the gel product to the palm of
one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).
·
Rub your hands together.
·
Rub the gel over all the surfaces of
your hands and fingers until your hands are dry. This should take around 20
seconds. (Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.)
“Each year we lose 22 million school days due to common cold, and
keeping hands clean
is one of the most important steps for fighting the cold and flues.”
(Global Handwashing Day, October 15th)[i]
[i] Sources used:
·
“5 Steps to Effective
Hand-Washing” Linda Melone
·
“What Is The Correct Hand Washing Technique?” By Patrick Boshell
·
“When and How to Wash Your Hands” by Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention
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