Hand washing is a simple, effective way to avoid sharing germs. Health authorities, such as the Mayo Clinic and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, agree on basic hand washing procedures. Follow their recommendations to become your first line of defense against the spread of disease.
Why
Although it is impossible to keep hands germ-free, the Mayo Clinic calls frequent hand washing the most basic preventative measure to limit the transfer of bacteria, viruses and other microbes. In simpler terms, hand washing is the best way to avoid getting sick or spreading illness According to the CDC, proper hand washing is the first line of defense against diseases like the common cold, meningitis, bronchitis, influenza, Hepatitis A and most types of infectious diarrhea. Hand washing plays a particularly important preventative role in health-care settings, daycare facilities, schools, public institutions and places where food is prepared.
When
Germs accumulate on your hands as you touch people, surfaces and objects throughout the day. When you touch your mouth, nose or eyes, you can infect yourself with the germs you have encountered. Wash your hands frequently to avoid spreading germs from your hands to yourself or others.
The Mayo Clinic recommends hand washing before preparing food or eating, treating wounds, giving medicine, touching a sick or injured person and inserting or removing contact lenses. It recommends hand washing after preparing uncooked meat and poultry, using the toilet, changing a diaper, touching an animal or animal toy, leash or waste, blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing into your hands, treating wounds, touching a sick or injured person or handling garbage. Beyond these situations, wash hands whenever they seem dirty or when returning inside from outdoors.
How
Follow these steps when washing with soap and water. First, wet your hands with clean running water. Use warm water if it's available. Lather well with soap. Take care to scrub all surfaces including front and back of hands, wrists, between fingers and under fingernails. Spend at least 20 seconds scrubbing. Rinse soap well under running water. Dry hands with a clean towel, disposable paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use a towel as a barrier when turning off the faucet.
If soap and water are not available, the CDC recommends an alcohol-based hand rub to clean your hands. According to the CDC, "alcohol-based hand rubs significantly reduce the number of germs on the skin and are fast-acting." When using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, apply the product in the palm of one hand. Rub hands together. Spread the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers. Continue to rub hands together until they have dried.
