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Why is washing my hands important?
Why is washing my hands important?
Handwashing is one of the most critical things you can do to protect your health and that of your loved ones. Germs can spread from other people to surfaces when you:
touch your face with unwashed hands
prepare food with unwashed hands
blow your nose, sneeze into your hands or cough then touch other peoples' hands or objects
Using soap and water and properly washing your hands is a critical step to keep you from getting sick.
What about hand sanitizer?
What about hand sanitizer?
Washing with soap and water is the best, but if they are not available, use hand sanitizer.
Hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands, but a few things to keep in mind:
sanitizers do not kill all types of germs
they may not be as effective on dirty/greasy hands
may dry or irritate skin
Remember! Be sure to cover all surfaces of your hands and allow your hands to fully dry before touching anything
When should I wash my hands?
When should I wash my hands?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you should wash your hands:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you should wash your hands:
Before, during, and after preparing food
Before eating food
Before and after treating a cut or wound
After using the toilet
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After touching garbage
After you have been in a public place and touched an item or surface that may be frequently touched by other people, such as door handles, tables, gas pumps, shopping carts, or electronic cashier registers/screens, etc.
Before touching your eyes, nose, or mouth because that’s how germs enter our bodies
Before and after putting on and taking off your mask
After touching your mask on your face
What's the best way to wash my hands?
What's the best way to wash my hands?
Now you know why hand washing is important and you know when you should wash your hands. The next step is learning HOW to wash your hands.
Watch this video from Dr. Sabena Thomas, SUNY Potsdam Public Health and Human Performance Professor, for simple, easy tips to to make sure your hand washing is effective.
Ready to move on? Select the "Social Distancing" button below
Ready to move on? Select the "Social Distancing" button below
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