Through hands, it is easy to spread diseases. Hand hygiene is very important because it is the best way to prevent diseases and infections. You should know when you should wash your hands to prevent the spread of germs. Handwashing is also known as hand hygiene is the process of cleaning the hands with the use of soap and water to remove microorganisms such as germs, viruses and bacteria, grease, dirt, and other unwanted harmful substance that is stuck in hands.
Handwashing is the key to protecting yourself and your family from various diseases. There are many ways to avoid the spread of germs such as avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Also, don’t prepare your foods without washing your hands, avoid touching contaminated are and surfaces, and don’t blow your nose, cough, or sneeze into hands and touch other people’s hands or common objects. These things are simple practices that you need to remember for your safety and the safety of people around you.
1. Key Times to Wash Hands
Handwashing is the key to prevent your loved ones from diseases and stay healthy. When is the best time for you to wash your hands? There is no right time to wash your hands as you can wash it anytime. However, there are essential things to remember as you do proper handwashing. Washing your hands before, during, and after preparing foods is very important because you can easily transmit germs in the food. Aside from washing your hands before, after, and during food preparation, you also need to practice hand washing before eating, before and after caring for a sick person, and after using the toilet. Those are simple reminders for you to wash your hands to avoid the spread of germs that can cause infections and diseases.
2. Appropriate Hand Washing
Hand hygiene requires people to follow the right steps to prevent the spread of germs. There are five steps to clean your hands the right way. First, you need to wet your hands with clean, running water either warm or cold, and apply liquid hand wash or soap. Second, lather your hands by rubbing them together with a liquid hand wash or soap. You need to create lather at the back of your hands, between your finger, and under your nails. Third, scrub your hands at least 20 seconds or sing the happy birthday song from beginning to end, twice. Fourth, rinse your hands well using clean running water. Lastly, you need to dry your hands with the use of a clean towel or if possible use a hand dryer.
3. Hand Sanitizer
There are cases when soap and water are not available, so liquid hand wash or sanitizer is also an effective way to sanitize the hand. Using hand sanitizer is the other way to get rid of germs in most situations however, handwashing with soap and water is the best in killing germs. Hand sanitizer can quickly reduce the number of germs in your hand, but not as effective compare to washing with soap and water.
There are some things to remember when using hand sanitizer. It does not have the ability to kill all types of germs and when hands are visibly dirty and greasy. Also, it does remove chemicals like pesticides and heavy metals. There is a right way to use hand sanitizer, apply the gel product to the palm, and rub your hands together. It is vital to rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers until the hands become dry.
4. Consider Putting Hand Washing Poster
Kids are more prone to germs that can cause infection and diseases. Help children stay healthy by teaching them the importance of proper handwashing and the proper way to wash their hands.
By posting step by step procedure with a picture, children can easily understand and apply it the right way. Washing your hands with your child is another effective way to teach them. You should demonstrate the step by step procedure of handwashing. The best way to encourage children to wash their hands is by singing a happy birthday song.
