Celebrate National Handwashing Week

by
By Daniel Fabry, GHC HR Wellness Intern

Practicing good handwashing habits is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and to prevent the spread of germs to others. Germs can easily spread through physical contact with an unclean surface or object. Germs can also easily spread through touching body parts with unwashed hands (especially the nose, eyes and mouth); preparing and consuming food or drink with unwashed hands and blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing into your hands and then touching another person, surface or object. It is especially important in the age of Covid-19 to wash your hands frequently in order to stop the spread of the virus.

Times that You Should Always Wash Your Hands:

  • Before, during and after cooking food and preparing drinks
  • Before eating a meal
  • After going to the bathroom
  • After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
  • After handling garbage
  • After changing a child’s diaper or helping the child to use the toilet
  • Before and after medically treating a wound or a cut
  • Playing with or handling animals, animal feed or animal waste (including pets)
  • After touching an animal’s living area
  • After touching animal food and treats
  • Before and after visiting and caring for a person who is sick

Follow the Proper Handwashing Tips:

  • Wash hands thoroughly with soap + warm water
  • Wash for 20-30 seconds or sing “Happy Birthday” two times through
  • Soap and warm water are the best way to clean your hands, but if they aren’t available, use an alcohol-based band sanitizer, that contains at least 60% alcohol

How to Use Hand Sanitizers: 

  • Apply the sanitizer to the palm of one hand (follow label directions on how much to use)
  • Rub hands together
  • Rub the sanitizer over all the surfaces of your hands + fingers until hands are dry

Websites/Links for Further Information on the Importance of and How to Do Proper Handwashing: