Blog
Prevent Germs this Fall
Hand Hygiene Tips
Fall has arrived! Along with the leaves changing colors and the temperatures cooling down, we often see an increase in illnesses as well. Germs are easily spread by not washing our hands with soap and water. Hand washing is the number one way that we can protect ourselves and those around us from infections.
Germs can be spread from person to person, or from touching contaminated surfaces or objects, and then touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands; preparing or eating food and drinks with unwashed hands; blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing into your hands and then touching other people’s hands or objects; sharing food and drinks with someone that is ill; and by coughing or sneezing on other people without covering your mouth.
You can help yourself and your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these vital times when you are likely to easily become ill and spread germs: before and after eating meals; after using the restroom; before and after caring for someone who is at home sick; after changing a diaper or assisting a child with toileting; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing into your hands.
In just five easy steps, handwashing can be done to help prevent the spread of infection.
- Wet your hands with water, then apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap, ensuring that you reach all surfaces up to your wrists, including the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds (singing the ABC’s is approximately 20 seconds long).
- Rinse your hands well with water.
- Dry your hands well with a clean hand towel or paper towels.
Of course washing your hands with soap and water is the best way to reduce the germ count on your hands, but if that is not readily available, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol is another option in most situations.
By Kristi Spartz, RN, Infection Control
Reference: About Handwashing | Clean Hands | CDC