Did you know the average handwashing time is less than 2 seconds? Keep that in mind next time you shake someone's hand! Proper hand wash is arguably the single best thing you can do to prevent your family and yourself from getting sick. Washing hands is easy, takes little time, and is one of the most effective ways to prevent germs from spreading.
How often should you wash your hands?
If you or someone in your close proximity is sick you should wash your hands more often and more thoroughly than normal. Otherwise, these are the key times you definitely should clean off your hands:
- Before, during, and after preparing food
- Before eating food
- After using the toilet
- Before and after attending to wounds
- After changing diapers or helping a child to use the toilet
- After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
- After handling animals or animal waste
- After touching garbage
- After handling money or using public transportation
- After working with soil or in the garden
The proper way:
Yes, it is crucial to wash your hands, but to maximize the effect it is equally important to do it right! Follow these 5 simple steps, and both you and your family will keep healthier:
- Wet your hands with running water and turn off the tap (a touchless faucet [hyperlink] takes care of this)
- Apply soap. Rub your hands together with the soap. Don't forget the back of your hand, between your fingers and under your nails and rings.
- Scrub your hands for 20-30 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice. Remember to turn off the faucet while scrubbing.
- Rinse your hands well under tempered running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel. In the flu season, use disposable paper tissues for the best germ containment.
Hygienic tip - Touchless faucets
Installing a touchless faucet improves the quality of your hand wash, makes it even easier to do it frequently enough and is more hygienic as you never have to actually touch the tap. Besides a touchless faucet prevents you from wasting water!
Want to know more about touchless faucets? Click below!