Wash Your Hands!
Shopping carts, public bathrooms, sponges, raw meat the worst germ o
© Kathy Quan
Mar 8, 2006
Handwashing is essential to help avoid colds and flu and spreading other germs.
Of course you'll want to wash your hands if they are visibly dirty as well.The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) estimates that only 1 in 3 people wash their hands after using the bathroom.
A recent study in Korea found that shopping carts harbor the largest number of germs, even more than public bathroom door knobs and handles, but that's probably because the shopping cart handles have a much larger surface area for germs to colonize.
Effective handwashing takes only about 30 seconds to accomplish. The water should be comfortably warm. You need to:
- lather with soap
- rub your hands together to create friction and lots of lather (away from the stream of water)
- Scrub your fingers, palms, backs of your hands and wrists and under your fingernails. Keep scrubbing for 20-30 seconds.
When you have completed scrubbing, rinse from your wrist downwards. Dry your hands and then use the toweling to turn of the faucet. Use paper towels if possible. If in a public restroom, pull out a fresh paper towel to use to open the door when leaving.
When cooking, always wash your hands after handling raw meats. Don't open that spice jar with dirty hands!! Use tongs or a fork to turn meats when seasoning so you don't contaminate your hands or those spices. Wash all surfaces with hot soapy water. And wash your hands after you wash the surfaces. Also, if you use sponges for cleaning surfaces, use a clean sponge and change it frequently.
Don't touch your face or eyes with dirty hands. Wash your hands before going to bed, and the first thing when you get up.
Always wash your hands:
- upon arising in the morning
- before meals
- after visiting the bathroom
- after sneezing or coughing or using a tissue
- after contact with animals
- after contact with anyone who is ill or coughing or sneezing
- after contact with surfaces outside your home
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Comments
Oct 2, 2006 9:23 PM
Jacqueline Church
:
1) Mom always said, wash your hands as soon as you come home, but NOT in the kitchen sink thank you.
2) I travel a lot, use antibac wipes on the airline table tray, the buttons on the arm rest,etc. before I start watching the movie, adjusting the seat or eating
3) in restrooms that have paper towels, I go from my stall to the paper towel dispenser - unroll what i need, hold it btw my elbow and side, then when my hands are clean, I don't have to touch the wet icky lever.
4) I use my towels to open the door and toss the towels in the bin...you only have to watch how many people never even wash to know how dirty all the handles etc. are...
-Jacqueline
http://gourmetfood.suite101.com
Oct 2, 2006 9:24 PM
Jacqueline Church
:
1) Mom always said, wash your hands as soon as you come home, but NOT in the kitchen sink thank you.
2) I travel a lot, use antibac wipes on the airline table tray, the buttons on the arm rest,etc. before I start watching the movie, adjusting the seat or eating
3) in restrooms that have paper towels, I go from my stall to the paper towel dispenser - unroll what i need, hold it btw my elbow and side, then when my hands are clean, I don't have to touch the wet icky lever.
4) I use my towels to open the door and toss the towels in the bin...you only have to watch how many people never even wash to know how dirty all the handles etc. are...
5) almost forgot..! if folks need help remembering how long to keep washing the soapy hands...sing the ABCs - that's about the recommended amount of time. doing this in silence will reduce the stares...
-Jacqueline
http://gourmetfood.suite101.com
Nov 13, 2006 2:39 PM
Kathy Quan
:
Jacqueline,
These are terrific tips. Public restrooms can be a huge source of germs especially in light of the number of people who don't wash their hands.
Antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizers are good items to carry with you especially while travelling. Although you may not be able to take them on an airline anymore, put some in your luggage to use once you arrive at your destination. Traveling can reduce your immunity and anything to bolster your protection is quite valuable.
May 14, 2008 9:55 AM
Guest
:
this is a very helpful site and i luv it
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