Wash Hands - Keep Food Safe

“Wash your hands!!”

If you are a parent - I am certain you find yourself saying this several times a day

And if you do – you need to pat yourself on the back.

Infections of the stomach and intestines can be prevented to a large extent by washing hands the right way. So can several other infections.

Hand washing is the easiest way to remain healthy. And it is the one thing that we must do to contribute towards a healthier world.

There are several wonderful things about hand washing – and these are –

·         All you need is 20 seconds! Can you believe that? Compare that to the time you would need to spend waiting in the queue to consult a doctor when you are sick

·         All you need is – water, soap and towel/air. Fortunately for most of us – these are always there.

·         Even really young children can be taught to wash hands correctly – it is just that easy!

·         It has been proved over and over again that it is the most effective way to prevent infections from spreading. And don’t we all know it? Prevention is so much better than cure

But are you washing your hands right?

This is the way to do it – make sure you are doing it right -

1.      Wet your hands under clean running water

2.      Apply soap

3.      Rub your hands together to make lather.

4.      Scrub your hands well. Scrub the palms, the back of the hands, between your fingers and under your nails

5.      Continue rubbing hands for at least 20 seconds. Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice – that’s how long 20 seconds is.

6.      Rinse your hands well under running water

7.      Dry your hands on a clean towel or allow to air dry

If you want to be healthy - remember to wash your hands

1.      Wash your hands frequently when you are putting together meals. It is important to wash hands before starting to cook. And to wash them frequently as they get dirty while you cook the meal.

2.      Wash up before you eat – even if you are eating with a fork or spoon

3.      Clean hands after you use the toilet. Disease causing organisms from the stool can re-infect you by entering your mouth if you don’t.

4.      Wash up after changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet for the same reasons

5.      Wash your hands thoroughly before and after taking care of a sick person. Before – to avoid making the sick – even sicker. And after to ensure that you do not get sick yourself or spread the disease to others

6.      Wash your hands after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing – if not you will spread the infection by smearing the germs on to every surface you touch

7.      Wash your hands after touching any animal – even a pet. Animals carry a lot of germs that we don’t know about and can’t see.

8.      Clean hands thoroughly after touching a dustbin or taking out the garbage. Garbage breeds lots of flies and other germs

9.      Wash your hands whenever they look visibly dirty. If they look dirty – they need to be cleaned

10.  Make sure you clean your hands after coming back from public places like stations, schools, hospitals etc. Surfaces that are touched by several people are sure to be infested with germs

You can wash away infections and diseases and keep your family safe – it is just so easy!

You are already doing it.

 Do it right! Do it frequently!

Wash hands! Stay safe! Keep your family healthy!