LIFE IS BETTER WITH CLEAN HANDS!

Photo Credit:  CDC (Center for Disease Control) and Prevention https://blogs.cdc.gov/publichealthmatters/2020/05/handwashing/ Mladen Zivkovic | Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Germs are everywhere! 

They can get onto your hands and items you touch throughout the day. Washing hands at key times with soap and water is one of the most important steps you can take to get rid of germs and avoid spreading germs to those around you.

Keeping hands clean is one of the most important things we can do to stop the spread of germs and stay healthy

KEEPING YOUR FAMILY SAFE!

Handwashing is an easy, cheap, and effective way to prevent the spread of germs and keep kids and adult healthy. When you are healthy, you don’t have to worry about missing school, work or any activities.

HOW?

• Help your child develop handwashing skills

• Lead by example

• Give frequent reminders

WHAT IF SOAP AND WATER AREN’T AVAILABLE?

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol.

HOW CAN WASHING YOUR HANDS KEEP YOU HEALTHY? 

Germs can get into the body through our eyes, nose, and mouth and make us sick. Handwashing with soap removes germs from hands and helps prevent sickness.

HANDWASHING HELPS PREVENT INFECTIONS FOR THESE REASON:

• People often touch their eyes, nose, and mouth without realizing it, introducing germs into their bodies. 

• Germs from unwashed hands may get into foods and drinks when people prepare or consume them. 

• Germs can grow in some types of foods or drinks and make people sick. Germs from unwashed hands can be transferred to other objects, such as door knobs, tables, or toys, and then transferred to another person’s hands.

HOW DOES HANDWASHING HELP FIGHT ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE? 

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria resist the effects of an antibiotic – that is, germs are not killed and they continue to grow. Sicknesses caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria can be harder to treat. Simply using antibiotics creates resistance, so avoiding infections in the first place reduces the amount of antibiotics that have to be used and reduces the likelihood that resistance will develop during treatment. Handwashing helps prevent many sicknesses, meaning less use of antibiotics.

WHEN SHOULD I USE?

SOAP AND WATER:

 • Before, during, and after preparing food

 • Before eating food 

• Before and after caring for someone who is sick 

• Before and after treating a cut or wound 

• After using the toilet 

• After touching an animal, animal feed or waste

• After handling pet food or pet treats 

• After touching garbage 

• If your hands are visibly dirty or greasy

ALCOHOL-BASED HAND SANITIZER 

• Before and after visiting a friend or loved 

• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

• DO NOT use hand sanitizer if your hands are visibly dirty or greasy.

HOW SHOULD I USE?

SOAP AND WATER 

• Wet your hands with clean running turn off the tap, and apply soap. 

• Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. 

• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. 

• Rinse your hands under clean, running water. 

• Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

ALCOHOL-BASED HAND SANITIZER

Supervise young children when they use hand sanitizer to prevent swallowing alcohol.

• Put enough sanitizer on your hands to cover all surfaces. 

• Rub your hands together until they feel dry (this should take around 20 seconds).

 • Do NOT rinse or wipe off the hand sanitizer before it’s dry; it may not work well against germs.

By: ZPMC – Infection Prevention and Control Committee