National Handwashing Awareness Week runs from December 1st – December 7th. Now more than ever, it is so important to keep good hygiene and practice healthy living. With a pandemic end nowhere in sight, I think this may be the most needed handwashing celebration ever!
There are 5 easy steps everyone should learn and use:
1. Wet
2. Lather
3. Soap
4. Rinse
5. Dry
I taught my daughter to sing the Happy Birthday song to help her lather, soap, and rinse for the right amount of time! 20 seconds during the soaping part is recommended.
American Medical Association and American Academy of Family Physicians
There are four handwashing principles that the AMA supports:
1. Wash your hands when they are dirty and before eating
2. Do not cough into hands
3. Do not sneeze into hands
4. Don’t put your fingers in your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Wait, What?
The CDC reports that only 31 percent of men and 65 percent of women washed their hands after using a public restroom. The CDC also stated that handwashing can prevent 1 in 3 diarrhea-related illnesses and 1 in 5 infections, including the flu!
Clean Hands Save Lives!
The CDC website offers so much information on the importance of handwashing. From printouts for kids and teens to science articles on handwashing. Learn more here.
