Handwashing for Health | Fitness and Freebies

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Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Washing hands with soap and clean, warm, running water for 20 seconds is the best way. However, if soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based product to clean your hands.

Washing Your Hands with Soap and Water

Wet your hands with clean, warm, running water and apply soap.
Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds, the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice.
Rinse hands well under running water.
Dry hands using a paper towel or air dryer.
Use your paper towel to turn off the faucet.

How to Clean Hands Using an Alcohol Based Hand Sanitizer

Use a sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol to be effective. Warning: For external use only. Supervise use by children.
Apply sanitizer to the palm of your hand.
Rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry.

When Should Hands Be Washed?

Whenever they look dirty.
Before and after preparing and eating food, especially before handling ready to eat foods and before and after handling raw meat, poultry or seafood.
After going to the bathroom and after changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom.
Before and after tending to someone who is sick or being near someone who is sick.
After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
After handling an animal or animal waste.
After handling garbage.
Before and after treating a cut or wound.
After touching handrails, doorknobs, telephones and other public surfaces.

Other Ways to Avoid Spreading Germs

Do not cough or sneeze into your hands. Do not put your fingers into your eyes, nose or mouth.