Wash Your Hands!

We all know we should wash our hands. But how many times a day do we actually do it?

From the CDC: “Keeping hands clean is one of the most important things we can do to stop the spread of germs and stay healthy.”

When should you wash your hands?

After using the bathroom
Before, during, and after preparing food
Before eating food
Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
After handling pet food or pet treats
After touching garbage

Remember these 5 steps to effectively wash your hands: Wet, Lather, Scrub, Rinse, Dry.

Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
Rinse hands well under clean, running water.
Dry hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

If soap & water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).
Rub your hands together.
Rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry. This should take about 20 seconds.