Germs are everywhere. You may not want to think about it, but every surface around us is covered with bacteria. Here is a tip to protect you from Diarrhea, Acute Respiratory Infections, Pneumonia and many other gastric diseases โ Wash your hands properly with soap. Yes thatโs it!
Washing hands before eating and after using the toilet is known to save more lives than any single vaccine, reducing the diarrhea death rate by half and Acute Respiratory Infections death rate by one-quarter. Hand washing involves a total of 11 steps. Make this your habit.
Many other options such as cleansing wipes, antibacterial lotions and hand sanitizers are easily available to maintain hygiene.
You use your hands to touch everything around you, and it’s the fastest way to communicate infectious germs. It is surprising and eye opening to spend 10 minutes at a public rest room at the office, mall or movie theater. Observe the number of people who will actually wash their hands. And if they do wash their hands do they wash their hands properly? This short experiment may result in your greeting people with a โNamasteโ instead of shaking hands.
Eventually, if you touch your eyes, nose or mouth, it gives germs access to your insides. So avoid touching your eyes, especially, with your hands as this prevents transmission of any germs.
Remember – Clean hands save lives
WHEN?
– 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 handling pet food or pet treats
– After touching garbage
HOW?
- Wetย your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap.
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3. Use 1 hand to rub the back of the other hand and clean in between the fingers. Do the same with the other hand.
4. Rub your hands together and clean in between your fingers.
5. Rub the back of your fingers against your palms.
6. Rub your thumb using your other hand. Do the same with the other thumb.
7. Rub the tips of your fingers on the palm of your other hand. Do the same with other hand.
8. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the โHappy Birthdayโ song from beginning to end twice.
9. Rinseย your hands well under clean, running water.
10. Dryย your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
11. Use the disposable towel to turn off the tap.