Today is Global Hand Washing Day

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in observance of the 10^th annual Global Hand Washing Day, October 15, 2018, is giving a live demonstration on Facebook of how to properly wash your hands with soap. Global hand washing day was established in 2008 as a way to raise awareness of a very simple inexpensive technique to combat the spread of diseases, especially among young children. The CDC says it is important to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds – most people only wash them for about six seconds. Watch a video to see exactly what is the correct way to wash hands. 

When Hand Washing with Soap is Necessary

It is especially important to raise awareness around the world of the need to properly wash hands with soap and running water after using the bathroom and before handling food. It is not good enough to wash hands or rinse hands only with water. Other reasons are:

Food Preparation

If you are handling raw fish, meat or eggs which are loaded with germs, it is ideal to wear disposable gloves in case you have any tiny open cuts on your hands that can get infected with bacteria or other germs. Whether or not you use disposable gloves, you must wash your hands often while preparing raw meat, eggs or fish and as soon as you finish.

Tending to the Sick

Be sure to wash your hands before and after tending to someone who is ill.

Contact with Pets

Wash your hands after having contact with a pet, especially after cleaning a cat box or picking up feces or cleaning up pet vomit or urine. Pets carry germs in their saliva some of which can spread to people, so do not let your pet lick you or your children on their faces or mouths. Wash your hands after petting a pet.

Changing Diapers

Wash your hands after changing diapers of an infant or an elderly person or cleaning up a child or a senior after they have gone to the bathroom.

Bed Pan

Wash your hands after handling a bed pan.

Garbage

Wash your hands after touching garbage.

Money

Wash your hands after touching money.

Cleaning Nose

Wash your hands after cleaning your nose or covering a cough with your hands.

Cell Phone and Computer

Wash your hands after using a cell phone, computer keyboard, touch screen or mouse and it is a good idea to periodically sanitize these instruments with disinfectant wipes, except for the touch screen, as it can only be cleaned with a  special microfiber cloth.

Treating Wounds

Wash your hands thoroughly when treating a cut, scratch or open wound whether it is your injury or someone else’s.

Hand Rails

Wash or sanitize your hands after holding on to stair railings, especially in public areas, railings and grab bars on busses, trains or other public transportation.

Mouth

Never put your hands or fingers near or in your mouth without washing them. Try to ditch the habit of biting your nails, but if you must then wash your hands thoroughly and scrub your nails with a nail brush.

Wheel Chair

Wash your hands after pushing someone in a wheel chair.

Dangerous Chemicals

Wash your hands well with soap and running water after touching dangerous chemicals.

Gardening

Wash your hands after gardening.

Shoes

Wash your hands after touching your shoes. Shoes are loaded with germs picked up while walking on public sidewalks and streets.

Gym or Fitness Center

Wash your hands after working out in a gym or fitness center. Many germs are on the workout equipment.

Communal Benefits from Hand Washing

According to the CDC there are real benefits to the entire community from simple hand washing. Hand washing can:

• Reduce the number of people who get sick with diarrhea by about 23-40%
• Reduce diarrheal illness in people with HIV by about 58%
• Reduce respiratory illnesses, like colds, in the general population by about 16-21%

When Soap and Running Water are not Available

if you are in an area with no access to clean running water and soap, then you can use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-95% alcohol. Otherwise, hand washing with soap and running water is more effective than using a hand sanitizer.

KEEP SANITIZERS OUT OF THE REACH OF SMALL CHILDREN OR SENIORS SUFFERING FROM DEMENTIA

Swallowing these substances is harmful.

When Choosing a Short or Long-Term Rehab and Skilled Nursing Facility

When searching for a good short or long-term rehab for yourself or for a loved one, take a good look around to make sure it is clean. Check out the bathrooms and ask to see the kitchen. Ask if someone is going to make sure your loved one’s hands will be washed often, so that they do not pick up all kinds of germs in the facility. Make sure there are enough nurses and practical nurses per patient, so that your loved one will get a lot of attention.

Royal Suites Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Galloway Township, New Jersey

The Royal Suites Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Galloway Township, New Jersey, is a 5-star facility surrounded by eight acres of woods and landscaped gardens. They have a warm, dedicated staff and have a good number of licensed practical nurses per patient.

Conclusion

Hand washing is such a simple and inexpensive way to prevent diseases that it is hard to understand why so many people do not do it.