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Handwashing, Do-It-Yourself Disease Prevention

sedona times / December 11, 2015 / No Comment

Wash your hands often during food handling and always after using a toilet whether at home or in a public area.

Wash your hands often during food handling and always after using a toilet at home or in a public area.

Sedona AZ (December 11, 2015) – Keeping your hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends washing your hands in a specific way to be most effective.

First, wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn the tap off, and apply soap. Washing your hands in standing water could recontaminate them. Be sure to use soap because water alone will not remove dirt and microbes from the skin and, according to the CDC, people tend to scrub their hands more thoroughly when they use soap. When you lather your hands, be sure to wash the back of your hands, between your fingers and under your fingernails.

Next, you want to scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. A good way to time yourself is to sing a verse or two of your favorite song. You can also sing the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.

Lastly, rinse your hands well under clean, running water and dry them using a clean towel or let them air dry.

It may seem too easy, but hand washing prevents illnesses and the spread of infections to others. People frequently touch their eyes, notes and mouth without realizing it, which is one of the ways that germs enter our bodies and make us sick.

ALWAYS wash your hands after using a toilet or before exiting a public restroom! Use a paper towel or tissue to protect your hand from a door knob or pull handle when opening the door to leave public restrooms!

For more information, visit the CDC’s webpage “Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives.” If you happen to get sick, be sure to seek care from your provider.

And carry anti-bacterial hand scrub in your vehicle, purse or pocket, especially when traveling with the elderly, pets and children. Use it frequently when unable to wash your hands, knowing that hand washing is more effective than anti-bacterial solutions to kill germs. If you are handling food at home or in a commercial facility, always wash your hands before and after, and during food preparation or contact. Practice good health habits!