Proper hand washing is the best defense against germs and sickness.
Have you ever:
- Seen someone sneeze or cough into their hand and continue on about their day?
- Witnessed a person not wash their hands after using the restroom?
- Cringed after you saw a stranger touch or do something gross with their hands without going to a sink afterward?
Not only are these examples icky, they’re also dangerous. It’s behaviors like this that can spread germs and sickness. Lack of hand washing is one of the top ways diseases spread. In fact, 80 percent of common infections spread via contaminated hands. One study found that only two in three people use soap when washing their hands, which means that harmful pathogens aren’t being removed from their skin and can be transferred to surfaces and other people.
You get it – hand washing is important. But here’s more information on why.
HOW DO GERMS GET ON HANDS?
Everyone’s hands contain germs. Bacteria and micro-organisms get on hands a few ways:
Touch: From the time we wake up until the time we go to bed, we’re touching surfaces, objects, and coming into direct contact with other people. Unless you’re using hand sanitizer or washing your hands every few hours, those germs remain on your hands.
Sick People: If you’re shaking or holding hands with someone who already has an infection, it may not be long before you begin to contract the same illness.
Contaminated Surfaces: If you come into direct contact with a contaminated surface such as a piece of gym equipment that has Staph or MRSA dwelling on it, there’s a strong possibility that you could develop symptoms.
High-touch surfaces like doorknobs, front desks, and light switches contain many germs on their surface since many people touch them regularly. Do yourself and others a favor by practicing proper hand washing for optimum safety and protection.
GERMS ON HANDS AND SKIN
Germs multiply on skin quickly and can often survive up to three hours or more on your hands alone. When you do something as simple as use the restroom the number of germs on your hands will likely increase. To prevent getting infected or spreading these germs, hand washing is necessary.
Common pathogens that you may find on hands include:
- Cold & Flu
- Norovirus
- Ringworm
- MRSA
- Staph
These infections spread quickly and easily via hands.
PROPER HAND WASHING
When done right, hand washing can:
- Prevent sickness
- Maintain good hygiene
- Keep hands germ-free
- Keep your home and family safe
- Prevent the spread of illness in your office or facility
How to effectively wash and sanitize hands in 6 steps
- Wet your hands.
- Apply soap if available. You don’t want to use so much soap that you can’t achieve a good lather. You want to be able to create friction to remove the germs and gunk from your skin.
- Rub the soap all over your hands. Get in between your fingers, under your fingernails, and the top of your hands. Do this for at least 30 seconds. Sing the alphabet song to track time.
- Rinse off the soap entirely under clear, running water.
- Use a paper towel to dry your hands. Try to avoid jet and warm air dryers, as both have been shown to spread germs.
- Apply 1 -2 squirts of hand sanitizer and rub the solution all over your hands – palms and fingers included.
Note: If soap and water aren’t available, hand sanitizer can be used alone. But remember, hand washing with soap and water is the best way to keep hands clean.
HAND WASHING DON’TS
What are some major hand washing no-no’s? Here are several hand washing don’ts:
- Don’t forget to wash after bathroom use, and intermittently throughout the day
- Don’t wash hands for less than 30 seconds each time
- Don’t use hand sanitizer alone if soap and water are available
- Don’t forget to wash between your fingers and under your nails
WHEN TO WASH YOUR HANDS
- Before and after eating
- Prior to and after preparing/handling food
- After using the bathroom
- After visiting a public place and touching shared surfaces
- Once you’ve come into contact with a contaminated surface
- After you shake or hold hands with someone
- As soon as you come home from work
- After touching pets
- After coughing or sneezing in your hands
HAND WASHING = HEALTH + WELLNESS
In conclusion, hand washing is one of the best ways to stay healthy, promote and maintain wellness, and prevent the spread of illness and infection. Your body and the people in your life will thank you. Practice the tips listed above to stay healthy and safe.