Health Topic

National Hand Washing Awareness Week

December 4th-10th 2011

What is National Hand Washing Awareness Week?

National Hand Washing Awareness Week brings attention to the importance of frequently washing hands with soap and warm water, in an effort to reduce the spread of germs, which can make people sick, and encourages people to practice good hand washing habits. Read below to learn more about hand washing and how it can keep you healthy.

Why is it important to wash your hands?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most important thing we can do to keep from getting sick and spreading illness to others is to clean our hands. Cleaning hands, whether with soap and water or hand sanitizer, reduces the amount of germs (bacteria and viruses) that can make people sick, helping you to lead a healthier life.

When should I wash my hands?

Hands should be washed with soap and warm water frequently throughout the day, including:

Before preparing food, treating wounds or giving medicine, eating food, coming in to contact with a sick or injured person, inserting contacts or dental apparatus’s, such as a retainer

After using the toilet or other bathroom facilities, preparing food, changing a diaper, treating wounds, coming in to contact with a sick or injured person, touching an animal or animal waste, sneezing, coughing, or blowing your nose, and handling garbage or soiled items

How to wash your hands:

Step 1: Wet your hands with warm water

Step 2: Apply soap to hands

Step 3: Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds - make sure to wash the palms and backs of your hands, as well as your fingers, in between your fingers, and up to your wrists

Step 4: Rinse the germs away with warm water - remember to scrub your hands while you rinse them!

Step 5: Dry your hands with a paper towel

** Tip: Your used paper towel can be utilized to turn off the faucet and open
the bathroom door, in an effort to avoid picking up germs on clean hands

What about hand sanitizer?

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers (non-water) can be an excellent alternative to soap and water, provided that they are used correctly. All commercial hand sanitizers should contain at least 60% alcohol and the following guidelines should be observed:

• Only use hand sanitizer on hands that are visibly clean; if you can see dirt on your hands, use soap and water
• Always supervise children using hand sanitizer

When using hand sanitizer make sure you:

• Apply a good amount of hand sanitizer to hands; you should use enough to wet your hands completely
• Rub hands together, over all surfaces of your hands, until hands are dry (approximately 25 seconds)

** Wet hands pick up more germs than dry hands, so make sure you
completely dry your hands after washing them with soap and water
or using hand sanitizer

Available hand washing education programs:

The Bethlehem Health Bureau offers City of Bethlehem schools, organizations, and businesses interactive hand washing education through the “Germ City” and “Glitterbug” programs. These programs have been utilized at schools in the Bethlehem Area School District, pre-schools, Bethlehem City Hall, senior centers and community health fairs. For more information on these programs and to view photos of hand washing education in action, please click on the following link: http://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/health/emergency/germcity.htm

To schedule “Germ City” or “Glitterbug” for an event, please call the Bethlehem Health Bureau at (610) 865-7083.