Hand washing is a simple habit and one of the best ways to avoid getting sick. It only requires soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (a cleanser that doesn't require water). Antimicrobial wipes are as effective as soap and water but not as good as alcohol-based sanitizers.

Germs accumulate on hands during the day by direct contact with people, contaminated surfaces, foods, animals and animal waste. If hands aren’t washed often enough, you can infect yourself by touching your eyes, nose or mouth. And germs are spread to others by touching them or surfaces they may touch.

These common infectious diseases include the common cold, flu and gastrointestinal disorders such as infectious diarrhea. Inadequate hand hygiene also contributes to food-related illnesses, such as salmonella and E. coli infection.

Be sure to wash your hands when: they are visibly soiled (wash with soap and water rather than a sanitizer); after using the washroom (includes changing diapers); after blowing your nose or sneezing in your hands; before and after eating; handling food, drinking or smoking; after touching raw meat, poultry, or fish; after handling garbage; visiting or caring for sick people; handling pets, animals or animal waste.

How to wash with soap and water:

• Wet hands with warm, running water, apply liquid or clean bar soap. Lather well
  
  
• Rub hands vigorously together for at least 15 seconds; scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between fingers and under fingernails
  
  
• Rinse well and dry hands with a clean or disposable towel
  
  
• Use a towel to turn off the faucet.

Washing with alcohol-based hand sanitizers:

Known to be more effective than soap and water in killing bacteria and viruses that cause disease. Not all hand sanitizers are created equal, only use alcohol-based products.

• Apply about 1/2 tsp of the product to the palm of your hand
  
  
• Rub your hands together, covering all surfaces until they’re dry.

Additional prevention tips:

• Cover cuts with bandages and wear gloves for added protection (cuts are vulnerable to infections)
  
  
• Artificial nails and chipped nail polish have been associated with an increase in the number of bacteria on the fingernails; clean nails properly
  
  
• Keep hands away from eyes, nose or mouth
  
  
• Assume that contact with any human body fluids are infectious
  
  
• Liquid soap in disposable containers is best. Reusable containers should be washed and dried before refilling. Set a bar of soap on a rack to allow water to drain off the soap or use small bars that can be changed frequently.

H&L

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