October 15 is Global Handwashing Day
October 15 is Global Handwashing Day, a global advocacy day dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.
Despite its lifesaving potential, handwashing with soap is seldom practiced.
Follow these five steps every time:
Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.Why it’s important
Washing hands can keep you healthy and prevent the spread of respiratory and diarrheal infections. Germs can spread from person to person or from surfaces to people when you:
– Touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
– Prepare or eat food and drinks with unwashed hands
– Touch surfaces or objects that have germs on them
– Blow your nose, cough, or sneeze into hands and then touch other people’s hands or common objects
Key times to wash hands
You can help yourself and your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs:
– Before, during, and after preparing food
– Before and after eating food
– Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
– 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
