How to Wash Your Hands Effectively

There's been a lot of talk about flu prevention lately. The best thing you can do (besides staying home and avoiding exposure to germs) is to make sure that you're washing your hands frequently to keep germs from getting past that lovely piece of your immune system known as your skin and into other places like your mouth or eyes when you touch them. However, washing your hands the right way is important too. Here are some tips for making sure your efforts are good for something - both the whens and the hows to make sure you aren't infecting yourself. In addition to washing your hands when they look dirty, always make sure you're washing your hands before you prepare or eat food, before putting in or removing contact lenses, and before and after touching a sick person. Wash your hands after preparing food, especially meat. Keep hand sanitizer on hand so that you can wash your hands after coughing or sneezing, no matter where you are. Wash after using the toilet or changing a diaper, and after handling any kind of garbage. Using soap is better than constantly using anti-bacterial hand sanitizer, but it does mean you have to be thorough when you wash. Here are some good steps to follow:

Wet you hands first. This will help you get a good lather.

Apply whatever kind of soap you like best - liquid, bar or powder.

Lather well and rub your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Don't forget to wash the backs of your hands, your wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.

Rinse well. Leaving soap on your hands will dry them out and attract more germs.

Dry your hands with a clean towel, a paper towel or an air dryer.

Don't touch the faucet after you wash your hands if you can help it.

Wash your hands as often as you can, especially during cold season. When you can't, avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes until your hands are clean. Good luck staying healthy through cold season!

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