Proper Handwashing Techniques to Avoid Getting Sick this Flu Season

Proper handwashing, particularly before and after certain activities, is one of the best ways to remove germs and avoid getting sick. One study found that 95% of people do not wash their hands correctly after using the restroom, 2 in 3 people forget the soap, and 1 in 10 skip the process entirely.

This isn’t good news for the quickly approaching Flu Season. It is the general consensus among health care professionals that after receiving a flu vaccine, proper hand hygiene is the second most important way to avoid the flu. However, they don’t mean rinsing your hands off for 5 seconds and wiping them dry on your shirt. There are easy techniques to follow that will get those nasty germs off your hands.

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• Start: rinse your hands of any dirt or grease before adding soap.
• Scrub: apply soap and rub hands together making sure to get every area of your hands and any exposed areas of your wrists. According to the CDC, most people forget about their fingertips and between their fingers.
• Time: hum the tune of “Happy Birthday” twice in your head to ensure you are washing for the proper amount of time- at least 20 seconds.
• Rinse: rinse off all the soap
• Dry: a very important step to removing germs!
• Finish: avoid recontamination. If possible, use a paper towel to turn off the faucet and when touching the door handle to leave the restroom. Remember all those people who don’t wash their hands properly and are touching these areas with contaminated hands.

​To demonstrate, Henry Mandala:

Download our Steps to Proper Handwashing Chart.

With the technique down, the next question is when. Over-washing is not a huge concern but can cause hands to dry out, crack and bleed, which allows germs to enter the body. Combat dryness by applying moisturizing cream or lotion. According to the CDC, people should wash their hands:

• Before, during, and after preparing food
• Before eating food
• Before and after caring for someone who is sick
• Before and after treating a cut or wound
• After using the toilet
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
• After handling pet food or pet treats
• After touching garbage

 
Though handwashing is the best way to remove germs, there will be instances when you do not have access to soap and clean, running water. In these situations, keep handy an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Oooo feel the burn. Hand sanitizer is not a suitable substitute all the time particularly because it does not removed all types of germs, may not remove harmful chemicals and is not helpful when your hands are visibly dirty/greasy. To properly apply hand sanitizer, read the label for the correct amount then rub hands together until completely dry.
 
Stay healthy!