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One of the worst things in the world is being sick! Do you agree? The
aches, pains, sneezes, stuffy head, fever, inability to sleep, etc... you get
the drift. I think we can all agree that being sick is terrible!!! What if I
told you that one of the biggest ways to prevent getting sick was also one of
the easiest things to do! And something that many people fail to do as often as
they should! What is this you ask? HAND WASHING!!! I know what you're
thinking... "Seriously? Everyone knows to wash their hands!" Well...
take a look around you and watch all the icky things people touch (including
their noses, mouths, toilets, etc...) and then watch what they touch next...
your food, the same doorhandles, shopping carts! Its a gross world we live
in!!! According to Hardy Diagnostics website, an estimated 80% of infectious
diseases are spread through touch. I will almost put money on it that if you
monitored a public restroom only about 50-60% of people actually wash their
hands before they walk out. Gross? Yes it is!
Now that I have scared the begeezies out of you... don't stop reading to go
wash your hands just yet! For those of you thinking "Well... I am not part
of that percentage... I always wash my hands!" I want you to think back to
the last time you washed and I will almost bet you didn't do it properly!
According to the CDC website, the proper steps to washing your hands are:
1- Wet your hands with clean running water (warm or cold) and
apply soap.
2- Rub your hands together to make a lather and scrub them well;
be sure to scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your
nails.
3- Continue rubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a
timer? Hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.
4- Rinse your hands well under running water.
5- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
Here is a quick experiment for you to try and also to do with your kids. Put on
a pair of gloves if you prefer. Apply a small amount of finger paint to
the palm of your hand (equal to the amount of soap you would use). Then close
your eyes and pretend to wash your hands for the proper amount of time (20
seconds). DONT PEEK! After you are done look at your hands and see all the
spots that you missed with your "soap". You will be amazed at
how poorly some people wash their hands!
Now we all know that there are times when it is next to impossible to get clean
running water and soap to wash our hands. For these instances there is a
wonderful thing called hand sanitizer! These alcohol based hand sanitizers
(preferably one containing at least 60% alcohol) eliminate most germs, although
they are not 100% effective, especially if your hands are visibly dirty!
So remember what your mother taught you and WASH YOUR HANDS!!!
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