Saturday 14th October is Global Handwashing Day. This year’s theme is “Unite for Universal Hand Hygiene”. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness about the importance of washing hands with soap.
What are the benefits of hand hygiene?
- Prevents the illnesses and the spread of infections
- Handwashing can reduce diarrheal diseases by 30%
- Handwashing can reduce acute respiratory infections by up to 20%.
- Reduces absenteeism due to gastrointestinal illness in school children by 29-57%
- Handwashing with soap plays an important role in reducing the transmission of outbreak-related pathogens such as cholera, Ebola, shigellosis, SARS, hepatitis E, and COVID-19.
- Hand hygiene is protective against healthcare-associated infections and reduces the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
- Hand hygiene may contribute to the reduction of Neglected Tropical Diseases.
(Source: Global Handwashing.org and CDC.gov.)
When should you wash your hands?
You should wash your hands before touching anything that needs to stay clean, and after touching anything that might contaminate your hands. It’s easy to remember. Just think, “when am I likely to get and spread germs?”
How do I wash my hands the correct way?
Is there a proper way to wash your hands or is just rinsing them under water enough? Any washing is better than none however it’s best to follow the five steps below to ensure you are washing your hands the correct way. Remember, you want to prevent the spread of germs.
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), 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. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
(Source: www.CDC.gov.)