|
|
|
Did you know hand washing is actually a five-step process? Hand washing is more than just running water over your hands and wiping them dry! The whole process should take 20 minutes. Time yourself to see if you are really giving hand washing the time it deserves.
The first step is to wet your hands with warm running water. The soap will lather better if your hands are already wet.
Secondly, apply enough soap to build up a good lather.
The third and most important step is to scrub hands and arms vigorously for at least 15 seconds. (This should be about the length of time it takes you to recite the alphabet.) Scrub both the palms and back of your hands, between the fingers, up your wrists and arms. And don't forget to clean under your fingernails.
Fourth step is to rinse hands and arms thoroughly, again using warm running water.
And lastly, dry your hands and arms with a single-use paper towel that can then be thrown away.
After washing your hands, there are some things you can do to make sure your hands stay clean after you wash them. Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and when touching the restroom door handle.
Pocket-sized antiseptic hand sanitizers are popular now. They can be one more added step toward personal hygiene, but are not designed to take the place of hand washing. Proper hand washing is always the best defense toward preventing the spread of germs.
When should you wash your hands? Certainly, always after using the restroom and anytime before handling, preparing, or eating food.
After you have handled raw meats and eggs, you should wash your hands to avoid cross- contamination with other food items. Anytime after you have handled dirty dishes or after taking out the trash, you should wash your hands.
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, wash your hands. After diaper changing a baby or helping a young child use the toilet, wash your hands. Naturally wash your hands after treating a wound or tending to someone who is ill.
Wash your hands after handling pets and cleaning their pens.
Germs are all around us in our environments. Everyone of us is responsible for doing what we can to avoid the spread of these germs. Hand washing is the one step everyone can take for personal responsibility for helping in the fight against the spread of diseases.
For additional information, visit the K-State Research & Extension Web site: www.ksre.ksu.edu/foodsafety.
Did you know hand washing is actually a five-step process? Hand washing is more than just running water over your hands and wiping them dry! The whole process should take 20 minutes. Time yourself to see if you are really giving hand washing the time it deserves.
The first step is to wet your hands with warm running water. The soap will lather better if your hands are already wet.
Secondly, apply enough soap to build up a good lather.
The third and most important step is to scrub hands and arms vigorously for at least 15 seconds. (This should be about the length of time it takes you to recite the alphabet.) Scrub both the palms and back of your hands, between the fingers, up your wrists and arms. And don't forget to clean under your fingernails.
Fourth step is to rinse hands and arms thoroughly, again using warm running water.
And lastly, dry your hands and arms with a single-use paper towel that can then be thrown away.
After washing your hands, there are some things you can do to make sure your hands stay clean after you wash them. Use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and when touching the restroom door handle.
Pocket-sized antiseptic hand sanitizers are popular now. They can be one more added step toward personal hygiene, but are not designed to take the place of hand washing. Proper hand washing is always the best defense toward preventing the spread of germs.
When should you wash your hands? Certainly, always after using the restroom and anytime before handling, preparing, or eating food.
After you have handled raw meats and eggs, you should wash your hands to avoid cross- contamination with other food items. Anytime after you have handled dirty dishes or after taking out the trash, you should wash your hands.
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, wash your hands. After diaper changing a baby or helping a young child use the toilet, wash your hands. Naturally wash your hands after treating a wound or tending to someone who is ill.
Wash your hands after handling pets and cleaning their pens.
Germs are all around us in our environments. Everyone of us is responsible for doing what we can to avoid the spread of these germs. Hand washing is the one step everyone can take for personal responsibility for helping in the fight against the spread of diseases.
For additional information, visit the K-State Research & Extension Web site: www.ksre.ksu.edu/foodsafety.
