Handwashing

Washing your hands is important year-round, but especially important during the time of year when people are sick. Here are some handwashing pointers.

1. Use hot water with soap if it is available because it is the best option. If hot water is not available, cool water is ok, but not the best bet. If no soap is available, use what you have. Water or hand sanitizer can be an ok substitute.
2. After washing, turn off the faucet with a paper towel. Remember, many dirty hands touch that faucet before washing, so you don't want to recontaminate your hands.
3. Dry your hands completely, wet hands can become recontaminated. Use a paper towel to open the door, once again, to avoid recontamination.
4. Your should be washing your hands for at least 20 seconds. This may seem like a long time but it best for cleanliness.

Many illnesses could be prevented with proper handwashing, both by yourself, your family, and others around you. For example, doctors are constantly around people who are sick, but rarely seem to get sick themselves. One reason is that they wash their hands very often. Use this example and wash your hands often to prevent sickness this year.

Wash your hands after:
1. Using the restroom. This goes for men and women both. Men may not think they need to wash their hands, but they do!
2. Helping a child use the restroom or changing a diaper.
3. Sneezing or coughing into your hands. Try to use a paper towel, napkin, or cloth. If one isn't available and you do cough or sneeze into your hands, wash them immediately.
4. Shopping. Think about how many door, handles, or railings you touch after a trip to the grocery store or mall. All of these places can have germs galore, so wash afterward.
5. Playing outside.
6. Playing with pets or animals.
7. Being around someone who is sick (wash often if you are sick).
8. Before preparing food, eating, or helping with food preparation.
9. If you eat at buffets, wash your hands after you get your plate but before you eat. Think about how many people use those serving utensils, so they can be contaminated.
10. Any other time your hands feel dirty.

It also doesn't hurt to wipe surfaces with a bleach solution or cleaning wipes often. Wipe off your keyboards, mouses, phones, or other surfaces that are touched by yourself or others. If you do get sick, make sure to sanitize everything properly afterward.

For more information on how to prevent sickness this season, check out this article from Missouri Families.