Washing your hands properly and at the right times is a great way to prevent infectious diseases, such as the flu, gastrointestinal infections, and certain viruses. However, not all people know how or when to do it. Are you taking advantage of this powerful tool to look after your health?
Throughout the day, our hands are in contact with all kinds of surfaces, for example: when we shake hands with our boss, when we answer the phone, use the computer keyboard, or after using the toilet. If you don’t wash your hands properly and with the right frequency, the risk of catching a disease is very high.
Some key moments to wash your hands are:
- After using the toilet.
- Right before eating.
- Before preparing/cooking meals.
- After having contact with raw foods(this is to avoid contamination of foods that are ready to serve).
- After picking something up from the flooror having contact with garbageor trash cans.
- After visiting someone who is sickor having contact with an injury.
- After blowing your nose, coughingor sneezing.
- After touching animals.
- After having contact with any chemical or solvent.
Now that we’ve spoken of when,let’s move on to how:
- Wetyour hands under running water.
- Apply the soap(preferably liquid).
- Rubyour hands vigorously for at least 15 seconds.Make sure to rub between your fingers and nails, as well as your wrists, palms and the back of your palms.
- Rinseunder running water.
- Dryyour hands thoroughly, using a cleantowel (preferably a disposable paper towel).
If you don’t have access to clean water and soap, you can use a no-rinse antibacterial hand sanitizer.
Washing your hands frequently and properly won’t take much time or effort, and will help you prevent uncomfortable moments later.
