Keeping our hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to people around us. Hand washing is an improved hygiene habit we all should learn and cultivate to lead a healthy life.
The spread of many diseases can be reduced by simple hand washing habit. In this article, I will discuss why, how and when we should wash our hands.
WHY YOU SHOULD WASH YOUR HANDS
We should wash our hands for so many reasons. Most importantly, we should wash our hands to stay healthy and prevent the spread of diseases (food borne diseases).
Germs can be spread by contact. Studies show that a gram of faeces contains about 1 trillion germs that causes disease. Handling raw meat can also contaminate one's hand because it may contain small amount of invisible animal faeces.
Most people frequently put their hands in their nose, eye and mouth and germs can be passed into the body through these openings.
When people handle food or drinks with unwashed hands, there is a 95% chance of transferring these germs to the food before they are consumed and most germs grow in these foods under certain conditions (temperature).
Germs can be transferred to other surfaces such as hand rails, children toys, etc. Washing of hands is advisable to prevent spreading germ to people unknowingly. This is why it is advised not to use hand rails at public places especially when you do not know how sanitized they are.
Washing of hands also prevent diseases such as dysentry, respiratory diseases and infection of eye, nose, mouth, skin or ear.
Germs can be spread by contact. Studies show that a gram of faeces contains about 1 trillion germs that causes disease. Handling raw meat can also contaminate one's hand because it may contain small amount of invisible animal faeces.
Most people frequently put their hands in their nose, eye and mouth and germs can be passed into the body through these openings.
When people handle food or drinks with unwashed hands, there is a 95% chance of transferring these germs to the food before they are consumed and most germs grow in these foods under certain conditions (temperature).
Germs can be transferred to other surfaces such as hand rails, children toys, etc. Washing of hands is advisable to prevent spreading germ to people unknowingly. This is why it is advised not to use hand rails at public places especially when you do not know how sanitized they are.
Washing of hands also prevent diseases such as dysentry, respiratory diseases and infection of eye, nose, mouth, skin or ear.
WHEN YOU SHOULD WASH YOUR HANDS
- After touching​ garbage.
- After handling feeds for pets or pet treats.
- After touching an animal, animal feed or animal waste.
- After coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
- After changing your baby's diapers or cleaning up a child who just used the toilet.
- After using​ the toilet
- Before and after treating​ a cut wound.
- Before and after caring for a sick person.
- Before eating​ food.
- Before, during​ and after preparing​ food.
HOW YOU SHOULD WASH YOUR HANDS
- Wet your hands with running clean water (cold or warm)
- Turn off the tap and gently apply soap.
- Rub your hands together to lather them. (Make sure you lather the back of your palms, between the fingers and under your finger nails)
- Scrub your hand for a minimum of 20 seconds.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or you can also air dry them.
WHAT IF YOU DON'T HAVE A RUNNING WATER AND SOAP?
Use an alcohol based hand sanitizer instead.
Washing our hands with a mild soap and clean running is the best way ever to reduce the number of germs on them in most cases. If soap and a running water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, but sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs and might not remove harmful chemicals.
Hand sanitizers are not as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy.
HOW TO USE HAND SANITIZERS
- Apply the product on the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).
- Rub your hands together gently.
- Rub the product over all surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry.
In conclusion, we should learn to wash our hands regularly so we don't fall ill and unknowingly infect people around us especially children. Hand washing saves lives!
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