Everyone knows that they should wash their hands, but not everyone actually practices healthy handwashing techniques (or even washes their hands). Have you ever been in a public restroom and seen someone leave without washing his or her hands? Or have you seen someone turn on the facet and give his or her hands a quick rinse? Did it make you cringe a little? If it did, then you know a little more about the importance of healthy handwashing than most. Did you know that one out of three people do not wash their hands after using a bathroom? Now that’s a scary thought.

Handwashing is one of the easiest and best ways to prevent the spread of germs, infections, diseases and illnesses. During flu season, it is especially important to be vigilant about handwashing.  Below are some useful tips about proper handwashing habits that will help keep your family healthy throughout the year:

When should you wash your hands?
As you go about your day, you are bound to touch a lot of things – people, surfaces, objects, and things. Each of these can potentially carry germs. While it is impossible to be completely germ-free, you can help limit the transfer of bacteria, viruses and other microbes by knowing when to wash your hands.  

Always wash your hands before:

• Preparing food
• Eating
• Treating wounds or giving medicine
• Touching a sick or injured person
• Inserting or removing contact lenses

Always wash your hands after:

• Preparing food (especially raw meat or poultry)
• Using the bathroom
• Changing a diaper
• Touching an pets (this also includes any animal toys, leashes or waste)
• Blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing into your hands
• Treating wounds
• Touching a sick or injured person
• Handling garbage or something that could be contaminated
• Whenever you notice they are dirty.
  
  

How should you properly wash your hands?

It only takes a little soap and water to get clean hands. While soap and water is the preferred choice, you can also use hand sanitizer. Whichever method you use, make sure to practice good handwashing techniques.

Using soap and water:

• Wet your hands with running water.
• Apply liquid, bar or powder soap (it is not necessary to use antibacterial soap).
• Lather your hands well, rubbing vigorously for at least 20 seconds. To help children learn to wash their hands for the proper amount of time, have them sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice.
• Scrub like a doctor. Remember to scrub your hands, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.  If you ever seen a doctor on TV you known how well they scrub their hands before surgery.
• Rinse well.
• Dry your hands with a clean towel, paper towel, or air dryer.
• If possible, use a towel or paper towel to turn off the faucet.
• Do your best not to touch the bathroom door handle after you wash your hands.  Use a paper towel to open the door.  After all, you don’t know if the person who used the bathroom before you washed their hands.

Using alcohol-based hand sanitizer:

Sometimes soap and water is just not an option – like in the car, in a store, etc. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are a handy alternative for these types of situations (antimicrobial wipes or towelettes are another option, but they're not as effective as alcohol-based sanitizers). Make sure the sanitizer product you use contains at least 60 percent alcohol.

• Apply enough sanitizer to your hands to wet them completely.

• Rub your hands together for up to 25 seconds. Make sure you “wash” your hands with sanitizer thoroughly, getting the entire surface of your hands (both back and front of hands, wrists, fingers). Make sure they're dry before touching anything.

Practicing healthy handwashing habits is good for your entire family and others. Children learn from example, so start practicing with your child at an early age. You may want to make it into a game or develop a reward system (like some parents do for practicing proper teeth brushing).  If you have a newborn, insist that visitors wash their hands thoroughly and properly before holding your baby. And if your child goes to a daycare center (or in-home daycare provider), ask them about their handwashing practices.