Are You Washing Your Hands the Right Way?
A Healthier Michigan
| 2 min read
Did you know that 97% of people fail to properly wash their hands?
Washing your hands often keeps you healthy and can help prevent the spread of respiratory and diarrheal infections, according to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Germs are spread when you touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands and when you touch contaminated surfaces or objects, among other ways.
It is also important to wash your hands after touching garbage, caring for someone who may be ill and when you sneeze, cough or blow your nose.
Here are steps on how to properly wash your hands, according to the CDC:
- Wet your hands with clean water (warm or cold), turn off the tap (to help save water) and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. An excellent way to help time this step is to hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean water to remove the soap.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
If you found this helpful, read related content on A Healthier Michigan:
- The Flu Shot: Still Your Best Bet
- Surprising Ways to Keep Your Skin Healthy All Winter Long
- Five Ways to Strengthen Your Immune System
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