Why Is Hand Washing So Important? It's a message worth repeating — hand washing is by far the best way to keep kids from getting sick and prevent the spread of germs.
1.Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold). Make sure the water isn't too hot for little hands. 2.Use soap and lather up for about 20 seconds. Antibacterial soap isn't a must — any soap will do. 3.Make sure you get in between your fingers, on the backs of hands, and under the nails where germs like to hang out. And don't forget the wrists! 4.Rinse and dry well with a clean towel.
When Should We Wash Our Hands? To stop the spread of germs in your family, make regular hand washing a rule for everyone. It's especially important:
before eating and cooking
after using the bathroom
after cleaning around the house
after touching animals, including family pets
before and after visiting or taking care of any sick friends or relatives
after blowing one's nose, coughing, or sneezing
after being outside (playing, gardening, walking the dog, etc.)
When kids come into contact with germs, they can become infected just by touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. And once they're infected, it's usually just a matter of time before the whole family comes down with the same illness. So don't underestimate the power of hand washing! The time you spend at the sink could save you trips to the doctor's office.
Ada