Tips For Better Hand Hygiene

Keeping your hands clean and dry is one of the best and easiest ways to prevent illness and infection from spreading

. Hand washing removes microorganisms from the hands and reduces the risk of pathogens being transmitted to doorknobs, counters, hand railings and other surfaces. Frequent hand washing should be a regular habit in your everyday routine; however, a quick rinse with soap and water isn't going to cut it. Certain techniques must be used to ensure that you are washing your hands properly and effectively removing germs.

When to Wash:

Knowing when to wash is the first step to better hand hygiene. You may already have a habit of washing hands after using the restroom, but it's also important to wash your hands when coming into contact with objects and surfaces that can transmit bacteria. Such activities include: eating, handling food, (especially raw meat or poultry), petting an animal, changing diapers, touching contact lenses, treating a wound, coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose, handling trash, or cleaning.

How Long to Wash:

You might be used to simply rubbing your hands together with soap and water for a few seconds before drying off and going about your day. Unfortunately, this isn't the most effective cleaning method for completely removing germs. In order to make sure your hands are germ- and bacteria-free after washing up, apply soap and warm water to your hands and rub together for 15 to 20 seconds, being careful to lather all surfaces. A simple way to time your hand washing is to sing the "Happy Birthday to You" song twice in your head.

Proper Hand Drying:

It's not uncommon to finish washing your hands in a public restroom and realize the paper towel dispenser is empty. Most people just wipe their hands on their pants or shake off the excess water and allow their hands to air dry. Yet properly drying your hands is just as important as washing them with soap and water, as pathogens are likely to transfer to surfaces more readily through wet hands than dry hands. Proper hand drying methods include rubbing both hands with a paper towel for 20 seconds or drying hands under an electric hand dryer for 30 to 45 seconds. While using hand dryers may take a few seconds longer, paper towels have a tendency to run out quickly and can lead to a messy and unsanitary space.

Washing and drying your hands properly is a key step in protecting yourself and others around you from infection or illness. Follow these tips for effective hand washing to eliminate the spread of germs and bacteria at home, work or school.

by: Chris Huang

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