Hand washing Recommendations and Guidelines

How should you wash your hands?

-*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. Be sure to 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

How do you use hand sanitizers?

-Apply the product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount). -Rub your hands together. -Rub the product over all surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry.

When should you wash your hands?

-Before, during, and after preparing food -Before eating food -Before and after caring for someone who is sick -Before and after treating a cut or wound -After using the toilet -After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet -After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing -After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste -After handling pet food or pet treats -After touching garbage

How long should you wash your hands for and what's a good way to remember?

20 seconds and hum happy birthday to yourself *twice*

Many studies have found that sanitizers with an alcohol concentration between ______-_____% are more effective at killing germs than those with a lower alcohol concentration or non-alcohol-based hand sanitizers

60 - 95%

Hand sanitizers need to be at least ____ % alcohol

60%

What are the hand washing options, in order of preference per the CDC?

First option: use soap and clean, running water Second option: use soap and whatever water is available Third option: use alcohol based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol)

What can ingesting alcohol based hand sanitizer lead to?

alcohol poisoning

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, but sanitizers DO NOT eliminate...

all types of germs and might not remove harmful chemicals

Washing hands with_______ and _______ is the best way to reduce the number of microbes on them in most situations

soap and water note: If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol

Hand sanitizers are not as effective when hands are...

visibly dirty or greasy