Everyday Mom

Doesn’t it seem too simple in today’s world where there is a medication for almost every ailment that the best defense to most illnesses is a good ole fashioned hand washing.  It’s true.  The best way to keep viruses and bacteria out of your body is to keep them off of your hands.  This is the time of year when colds and flu abound, and it is the perfect time of year to start a good hand washing habit.  Now, I’m not talking about going OCD and paralyzing yourself with a germophobia.  I’m just talking about getting into a clean routine that will help minimize your chances of illness.

 All handwashing is not the same either.  My children sometimes try to get by with running a bit of water on their finger tips and call them clean.  Unfortunately, it takes a little more attention to detail and effort to ensure that the wash is effective.  Research has proven that anitbacterial soaps, while not bad, aren’t any better at getting hands clean than good technique.  You also do not want to rely solely on hand sanitizers.  They are certainly a great alternative when it is not convenient to wash with soap and water, but they should not be a substitute when soap and water are available to you. 

For the cleanest hands, follow the steps below:

1.  Use soap and warm running water.

2.  Hands should be rubbed vigorously during washing for at least 20-30 seconds with special attention paid to the backs of the hands, wrists, between the fingers, and under the fingernails.

3.  Hands should be rinsed well under warm running water.

 4.  With the water running, hands should be dried with a single use towel or electric hand dryer in public restrooms.  At home, you can be a bit more careful of the cleanliness of your drying towel.

5.  Turn off the water using your paper towel or covered elbow to prevent re-contamination of your hands.

6.  Have a bottle of moisterizing lotion handy.  With all of this hand washing, you will need to moisten and soften your clean skin.  I tend to use just as much hand lotion as I do soap!

 Here are some activities before and/or after which your hands should be washed:

1.  After going to the bathroom.

2.  After assisting children in the bathroom.

3.  After coughing, sneezing, or after using a tissue.

4.  After using tobacco products.

5.  Before and After eating or drinking.

6.  After using soiled equipment or utensils.

7.  Before and After food preparation, and as often as necessary during the preparation process to prevent cross-contamination.

8.  After handling or touching pets.

9.  After handling currency. 

10.  After sports and other outdoor activities.

11.  After using a public computer, telephone, or writing utensil.

 I hope that these tips have been helpful to you.  I know that all of you want to keep your homes illness free this season.  Of course there are no guarantees even with a family full of clean hands that you will not catch something, but you will be better protected if you make time for this simple habit.  Now, this everyday mom is off to wash her hands!