Proper handwashing can prevent spread of illness

During the winter months, we often see an increase in respiratory and stomach illnesses, but good hand hygiene can help keep everyone healthy this time of year.

Washing your hands with clean, running water and soap can prevent the spread of respiratory and stomach or gastrointestinal infections that spread through touching other people or shared surfaces.

Good hand hygiene can help reduce the number of individuals who get sick by 23 – 40%, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Always wash hands:

• Before, during and after preparing food
• Before, during and after eating food
• After using the bathroom
• After changing a diaper
• After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
• After touching garbage

Using clean, running water is important because hands can become re-contaminated when using still water. Remember to use soap as it is more effective in removing soil and microbes from the skin than just water.

Knowing the correct way to wash hands is key to staying healthy. Follow these five simple steps:

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water. There is no scientific evidence that proves any temperature is better when washing hands, so use whatever temperature you’re comfortable with.
2. Apply soap and lather your hands by rubbing them together. Don’t forget to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers and under your fingernails.
3. Scrub your hands for 20 seconds; about the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice. This is the optimal length of time because it removes more germs than scrubbing for shorter periods.
4. Rinse your hands. Using clean, running water prevents re-contamination.
5. Dry your hands with a clean towel or by air drying. Germs are more easily transferred with wet hands, so be sure to dry them thoroughly.

The power to avoid and prevent the spread of respiratory and stomach illness is in your hands. For more information, visit the CDC website.