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Throughout the day one can accumulate germs

on their hands from a variety of sources,

such as direct contact with people,

contaminated surfaces, foods,

even animals and animal waste.

According to a survey by the Food and Drink Federation,

over half of teenagers do not wash their hands

after going to the toilet or before eating.

Most people--including children and adults do not wash

their hands as often or as well as needed.

Many people don't practice this habit as often as they

should - even after using the toilet.

If we don't wash our hands frequently enough,

we can infect ourselves with these germs

by touching our eyes, nose or mouth.

We can spread these germs to others by touching them

or by touching surfaces that they also touch,

such as doorknobs.

The old adage that

"Cleanliness is next to godliness"

has now received scientific support.

According to a recent Reuters news article,

Handwashing is more useful than drugs in virus control.

Clean hands save lives.

It is a well-known fact that

hand hygiene

is effective in preventing the spread of respiratory viruses

and greatly reduces the spread of many diseases.

Hand Washing is the single most important means

of preventing the spread of infection.

Hand washing is a simple habit

that can help keep us healthy.

⚠️ Keeping our hands clean

is one of the most important, effective, and inexpensive

steps we can take to avoid getting sick

and spreading germs to others.

Washing hands with soap and water

is the best way to reduce the number of germs

on your hands in most situations.

Most people have a vague idea that hand washing is

important, many don’t have a grasp on the facts.

We’ve put together a few interesting

and shocking facts about hand washing so you can see

why practicing proper hand hygiene is so vitally important.

Unwashed hands are a super highway,

without traffic, for germs to travel

for fast transmission of diseases

and conditions.

The best way to roadblock

the super germ highway

is washing hands with soap and

clean, running water for 20 seconds.

When should we wash our hands?

Before, during, and after preparing food
Before eating food
Before and after caring for someone who is sick
Before and after treating a cut or wound
After using the restroom
After changing diapers
After 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

Hand washing is basic to food safety,
personal health, and disease prevention.

Proper hand hygiene is the best way to mitigate exposure to cold and flu, and the spread of germs, bacteria and viruses.

Washing hands with the appropriate soap and water is the first line of defense.

Many illnesses can be avoided if adults, children and caretakers simply wash their hands correctly.

Wash your hands thoroughly after your business.

Make washing your hands the FIRST THING you do when you return home from any activity outside the house.

Make it a regular practice to wash your hands as soon as you come in the door.

Wash your hands before you...

*Prepare or eat food
*Treat a cut or a wound

Wash your hands after you...

Go to the bathroom.
ALWAYS wash your hands before leaving the toilet.
On your way out, for personal hygiene, use a paper towel to grip the door handle if possible (because we will never train everyone to wash their hands) or, in public facilities, elbow through when somebody opens the door from outside.
Wash your hands after you:

*Handle uncooked foods, (particularly raw meat,
poultry or fish)
*Change your children's diapers
*Blow your nose, cough, or sneeze
*Play with your pet animals
*Play/Work in the garden
*Take out the rubbish

Of course, it's always important to wash your hands... whenever they look or feel dirty.

A simple way to stay healthy...

A daily routine of hand washing, using hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available, and skin conditioner can keep your hands free of contagious germs and bacteria and moist, and most importantly, keep you free of the sickly grip of influenza.

As the Centers for Disease Controls note, hand hygiene is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.