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Hand Washing Day is observed every year on October 15th.  It was first started by the Global Hand Washing Partnership in 2008. This awareness strongly encourages all peoples around the world to wash their hands with soap.

Hand washing on a regular basis will help you avoid getting sick as well as spreading germs. For example, it’s important to wash your hands after using the bathroom and before you prepare any kind of food.

Serious illness can be avoided just with this simple and effective procedure.

For example, germs on your hands, left unwashed, can result in respiratory sickness, sometimes severe such as bronchitis. Long-term colds, even the flu can be triggered.

Hand Washing: The Correct, Easy Way To Do It.

Washing your hands is easy and will keep you healthy. The CDC (Centers For Disease Control) provides an easy to follow instruction kit on how to do it. Here are some of their most important recommendations:

• Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, 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. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
• Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
• Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Hand Washing: When Should You Do It?

Anytime is a good time as our environment is teeming with bacteria and viruses. Specifically, the CDC stresses the importance of washing especially after these specific activities:

• Don’t touch food until hands are washed before, during, and after preparing it
• Before eating food
• Before and after caring for someone who is sick
• Treating a cut or wound, before and after
• After using the toilet
• After changing diapers
• Cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• Before and after touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
• After handling pet food or pet treats

Once you get into a routine, hand washing will become second nature to you. It will keep you and your family healthy.