Yes, you read that right: The week of December 4th-10th is National Handwashing Awareness Week.
No job? No health insurance? Worried about the upcoming cold and flu season? Rest assured, there are ways you can protect yourself.
According to Dr. Will Sawyer, there are four basic principles of maintaining healthy hands:
1. Wash your hands whenever they get dirty, especially before eating.
2. DO NOT cough into your hands. Use your elbow.
3. DO NOT sneeze into your hands. Use your elbow for that too.
4. Above all, DO NOT put your fingers into your eyes, nose or mouth.
Also -- and this may be self-explanatory -- always wash your hands with soap. Since we're on the subject of soap, you may want to check out the debate on whether or not to use antibacterial soaps and hand sanitizers.
If you work in a fast-paced environment and come into contact with numerous people, hand-washing might not always be possible when it's needed most. (Nurses, teachers, and retail workers, for example, can't always take a two-minute break to wash their hands.) This is when hand sanitizer comes in handy, but most people don't know how to use it properly.
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are a great alternative when you don't have time for a bathroom break. When choosing a hand sanitizer, make sure it contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Then follow these simple tips:
- Use enough to dampen (not soak) your hands completely.
- Rub your hands together, covering all surfaces (including in between your fingers), until your hands are dry.
- Use when at work, taking your child to daycare or a park, or shopping.
- Hand sanitizers are safe for kids to use, too!
Remember that this is one of the easiest, most cost-effective ways to keep yourself and your family healthy all year 'round. Happy National Handwashing Awareness Week!
Comments