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In the realm of personal hygiene, few practices are as basic and effective as hand washing. The simple act of washing hands can prevent the spread of infections, bacteria, and viruses, ultimately protecting our health and the health of those around us. This article will guide you through the seven essential "hand washing steps", ensuring that you master this basic but important skill for maintaining a clean and healthy lifestyle.
Wash Our Hands After Going To The Bathroom,
We all know how important it is to wash our hands after going to the bathroom, before cooking, after petting animals, etc. In any case, what many people may not know is that there is the right method to wash your hands. Although it may seem like an everyday habit we don't have to think about, washing our hands correctly is the first step towards preventing sicknesses and keeping viruses and bacteria from spreading.
Fungi, Viruses, and Bacteria
Fungi viruses and bacteria enter our bodies through our mouth and nose, and our hands are what transport these microorganisms to our faces. Since our hands are constantly in contact with dirty surfaces, not washing our hands in the way we should be harmful to our health.
In The USA Country
The USA has great sanitary conditions, but almost 48 million Americans a year get sick from eating contaminated food, resulting in almost 128,000 hospitalizations and 3000 deaths. A study that involved 363 people examined six different restaurant kitchens around the country. They learned that many of them don't follow the correct steps recommended by the CDC when washing their hands.
Because of this, the spices used to concoct burgers are tainted more often than not. The study also observed that 11% of the time the refrigerator ended up contaminated because the workers didn't wash their hands after handling raw meat, and 5% of the salads were affected by cross-contamination.
Hands Washing Correctly According To the CDC
The reason for this is quite simple: most people don't think washing their hands is important, either because they just forget, or due to a lack of information. So, today we're going to teach you how to wash your hands correctly according to the CDC.
Washing Hands
Step 1: Wet Your Hands
The first step in any successful hand-washing routine is to thoroughly wet your hands with clean, running water. The temperature of the water can vary, but using warm water is usually more comfortable and can increase the effectiveness of the soap.
Step 2: Apply Soap
Apply plenty of soap after wetting your hands. Whether using liquid, gel, or bar soap, make sure it covers all parts of your hands, including the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails. This step is important for breaking down and removing dirt, bacteria, and viruses.
Step 3: Lather Well
Rub your hands together to create a rich lather. Pay special attention to your fingers, the backs of your hands, and the areas between your fingers. This scrubbing is essential to remove and lift impurities from your skin.
Step 4: Scrub For at Least 20 Seconds
While scrubbing, be sure to dedicate at least 20 seconds to the process. You can use the old trick of singing "Happy Birthday" twice to make sure you've scrubbed long enough. This extended duration allows the soap to effectively kill bacteria and viruses.
Step 5: Rinse Under Running Water
Once you've scrubbed your hands thoroughly, wash them under clean, running water. Be sure to remove all traces of soap from your skin.
Step 6: Dry With a Clean Towel or air-Dry
After rinsing, use a clean towel or air dryer to dry your hands. Drying is an important step, as wet hands can attract and spread bacteria more easily than dry hands.
Step 7: Close the Faucet With a Towel
To avoid re-contaminating your clean hands, use a paper towel or a corner of the towel you used to dry your hands to turn off the faucet. This extra step ensures that you maintain the cleanliness you just achieved.
Conclusion:
Incorporating these seven steps into your daily routine can go a long way in maintaining good hand hygiene. By mastering the art of hand washing steps, you not only protect yourself from illness but also play an important role in preventing the spread of infection to others. Make hand washing a habit, and you'll be taking an active step toward a healthier and safer environment for everyone.
