Hand washing

by Lori Hogue

Wash Your Hands


Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.

 
Washing with soap and water:

    Wet your hands.  Use warm water if it is available.
    Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
    Continue rubbing hands for 30 seconds.  This is about the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday through twice.
    Rinse hands well under running water.
    Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer.  Sharing cloth towels can spread germs.  If possible, use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the door.
    Remember:  If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer to clean hands.

When using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:

    Apply product to the palm of one hand.
    Rub hands together.
    Rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until dry.

For more information:

• Put Your Hands Together - handwashing video: http://www.cdc.gov/CDCTV/HandsTogether/index.html
• All You have to do is Wash Your Hands - handwashing podcast: http://www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=11072