December 5-11, 2010, is National Handwashing Awareness Week. ‘Tis the season for colds and the flu, and because they are easily spread, you should always be mindful of when and how you should properly wash your hands. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands. The CDC offers the following recommendations for proper handwashing to prevent illness at home, at school and at work:
When should you wash your hands?
- Before and after preparing food
- 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
- Before and after treating a cut or wound
When washing hands with soap and water:
- Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available.
- Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
- Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse hands well under running water.
- Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet.
Remember: If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based gel (at least 60% alcohol) to clean hands.
When using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:
- Apply product to the palm of one hand, using the amount of product indicated on the label.
- Rub hands together.
- Rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry.
Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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