Clean hands are just one important habit to teach your kids early. When you think about all of the people who do not properly wash their hands, the thought is… well maybe just don’t think about it at all. September 21-28 is National Clean Hands Week, the perfect time to remind one another and instill healthy habits early on with our kids. If someone asked you the medically proper technique way to wash your hands throughout the day, would you know the correct answer? Most people wouldn’t.
According to the CDC, “clean hands save lives.” There are four main principles of hand awareness, those in which help to prevent illnesses and spread germs. Number one, wash your hands when they are dirty and before eating. Two, never cough into your hands. Three, do not sneeze into your hands. Four, never put your fingers in your eyes, nose or mouth.
Best practices in hand hygiene in the areas of food safety, healthcare and public health and education are essential in protecting everyone. According to the CDC, proper handwashing includes involves five simple and effective steps think Wet, Lather, Scrub, Rinse, Dry. It is vital to wash your hands before you come into contact with anything that someone else may touch, eat, drink or you yourself could get sick from.
When washing, wet your hands with clean, running water, then turn off the tap and apply soap. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice! Rinse your hands well under clean, running water and then dry them using a clean towel or air dry them.
Wash your hands frequently throughout the day, but also keep in mind that washing your hands with hard water could create a film on your skin or irritate the skin of those dealing with eczema – and use an unnecessarily large amount of soap. Truthfully, a water softener can really improve the overall handwashing experience because minerals like calcium and magnesium are removed. The importance of water and its quality are often taken for granted in the hand hygiene process. But, not all water is the same. A water softener will promote quality washing and healthy habits. Contact us today learn more about the pleasures of softened water.
