Proper Handwashing
Introduction
Though we may not be able to see them, our hands pick up a lot of germs and dirt as we touch objects and other people throughout the day. We can then transfer these substances to others, or infect themselves when touching our face. Therefore, washing our hands properly is crucial in preventing diseases from spreading.
Why is proper handwashing important?
Proper handwashing with soap or other hygiene products help to remove germs from hands that can get into foods and drinks or get into the body through the eyes, nose and mouth and make us sick. What worse? Germs can multiply! These germs can lead to health issues such as diarrhoea, respiratory infections, and may even cause skin and eye infections.
Hence, it’s essential that people shall educate themselves with proper handwashing techniques. According to CDC (2020), a proper handwashing education in a community:
- Reduces the number of people who get sick with diarrhea by 23-40%.
- Reduces diarrheal illness in people with weakened immune systems by 58%.
- Reduces respiratory illnesses, like colds, in the general population by 16-21%.
- Reduces absenteeism due to gastrointestinal illness in schoolchildren by 29-57%.
Got The 7 Proper Handwashing Techniques Right
Source: Healthline
Common Mistakes Of Handwashing
1. Not washing the hands for long enough
It’s suggested that 20 seconds is the optimal amount of time it should take to wash our hands as studies show that shorter periods of time may not be effective at removing germs. Feeling 20 seconds took longer than you think? Let’s hum the ‘Happy Birthday’ song twice would definitely help.
2. Skipping the soap
Washing our hands shall be quick and simple, why use the soap? Are you one of the people who have the same thoughts? HELLO.CANNOT. Soap is an important element in washing our hands as it contains surfactants that help to remove dirt and microbes from your hands.
3. Relying on hand sanitizer
There are times when we are stuck in a meeting, traffic jam or in a situation where we can’t get to a sink. Hand sanitizer would come in handy. However, it shouldn’t be used as a permanent replacement for washing with soap and water. Although it contains alcohol that will help to kill germs it doesn’t kill all types of germs and it won’t remove chemicals on our hands.
When you shall wash your hands?
Source: FairPrice
You shall wash your hands when you’re in these situations:
- Whenever they look dirty.
- Before, during and after you prepare food.
- Before consuming foods or drinks.
- Before and after contact with an ill person.
- Before and after treating a cut, sore or wound.
- After using the toilet or changing diapers.
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. (Wash your hands more often when you are sick to prevent spreading your sickness to those around you.)
- After touching animals or animal waste.
- After taking medication, such as pills or eye drops.
- After touching garbage, body fluids, or anytime you have doubt if your hands are clean.
Summary
Proper handwashing is essential for us to prevent the spread of illness and infection. Although it’s a simple yet effective technique that anyone can use to prevent the spread of germs, but only if we are doing it right.
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