Best Way You Can Wash Your Hands

You need soap, water and 20 seconds. The single most important thing you can do to keep from getting sick and to stop the spread of disease-causing germs is to wash your hands  often. All it takes is soap and water, 20 seconds of scrubbing hands and wrists, and then a good rinse.

Anytime you touch a public surface elevator buttons, a doorknob, the ATM, or a subway pole you’re at risk for picking up germs or bacteria.

Parents Should encourage their children to Wash hands often , teach them that hand washing with soap and water is more than a chore it's an important way to prevent colds, sore throats and other infections.Also, because dirty hands often can carry germs, teaching children to keep their hands away from their eyes, nose and mouth also will help prevent illness. Make hand washing fun for kids 

When should you wash your hands?

You can help yourself and others stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these key times when germs are likely to get on your hands and can easily spread to others.

• 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 toilet

• 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 touching garbage

How You Can Wash Your Hands Step By Step

• 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.

• Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.

• Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Best Way To Use Hand Sanitizers?

• Apply the gel to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).

• Rub your hands together.

• Rub the gel over all surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry.

What should you do if you don’t have soap and clean, running water?

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer[423 KB] that contains at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, but sanitizers do NOT get rid of all types of germs.