One Simple Way to Help!

Turning on the news used to involve hearing weather reports and what was happening around our communities and the world.  However, lately these news stories are more confusing than ever.

You may be asking yourself, “what can I do to help?” One thing that all of us can do is washing our hands regularly with soap and water.  According to the CDC, Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, washing our hands can help protect us from illness and may reduce respiratory infections.

There are five steps suggested to us from the CDC, to correctly wash our hands.  This should be followed every time.

  1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
  2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
  3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
  4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
  5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

We should be washing our hands more often, even if we don’t think they are dirty.  We can’t see the germs that infect us. Washing our hands before and after we eat, after using the restroom, and before and after touching public items will assist in getting rid of these germs. Using hand-sanitizer should be used when there is absolutely no way to get a hold of soap and water. It is encouraged to use soap and water first, since hand-sanitizer kills bacteria but doesn’t wash it away.  Using soap and water, washes the germs down the drain!

Another healthy habit to consider is washing items and surfaces in our homes regularly.  Door handles, remotes, and light switches should be cleaned regularly as well.  Together with these simple steps, we can help our families and our communities become healthier.

We would love to hear your feedback on what song you hum while washing your hands. Email your comments to  lee.8379@osu.edu.  While you are thinking about what song you can sing while washing your hands, please watch this brief video on hand-washing below.

https://youtu.be/l0sx38iDwCo

By: Allison Lee

OSU Extension Clermont County

SNAP-Ed Program Assistant

 

Citations:

“When and How to Wash Your Hands.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3 Oct. 2019, www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html.

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