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Handwashing or using a waterless alcohol based hand sanitizer will protect you from most of the known infectious diseases in the world including the common cold.
On each square centimeter of your skin, there are at least 1,500 bacteria or viruses. Proper hand hygiene can reduce the amount of those bacteria or viruses by 100 to 1,000 times.
A survey performed in 1996 found that 94 percent of americans report they wash their hands after using the restroom, but observers found on an average that only 64% actually did!
We were taught to cover our mouths when we cough or sneeze, but how many of us immediately wash our hands to remove the bacteria left there by our cough or sneeze?
Washing hands correctly frequently is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself and the health of others. Know how to wash your hands correctly and teach others. When you can’t wash, use alcohol based hand sanitizers.
HOW TO WASH CORRECTLY
- Look at the paper towel dispenser and dispense the paper towel before you begin to wash your hands.
- Wet hands thoroughly with water and apply sufficient soap to work up a good lather.
- Lather and rub all surfaces including nail beds and rings for at least 15 seconds (sing “happy birthday” twice to yourself for the correct length of time).
- Rinse hands well AND LEAVE THE WATER RUN.
- Use the dispensed paper towel to dry your hands. Use the paper towel as a barrier between your clean hands and the dirty faucet to turn the faucet off.
USE OF ALCOHOL BASED HAND SANITIZERS
Place a dime to nickel size amount in the palm of one hand and vigorously rub all hand surfaces including nail beds until the sanitizer dries. Be careful not to use alcohol based hand santizers near open flames or flammable gases.
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