The Coronavirs (COVID-19) which has affected continents worldwide, has sparked the consciousness of many people to wash their hands more frequently; but are you washing your hands correctly?

We must first emphasis the importance of washing your hands correctly and the key times to wash them.  It is important to do this to keep your family, friends, people around you and the general public as safe as possible from transmitting unwanted germs and diseases in an effort to remain clean and healthy.

The more opportunities you have to wash your hands, the better, but here are some times when you should make washing your hands a priority.

  • Before, during and after meal preparation
  • Before and after meal consumption
  • After a visit to the bathroom
  • After touch garbage or taking out the trash
  • After touching an animal
  • Before and after caring for someone who is ill with vomiting and diarrhea
  • After changing a child’s diaper or taking them to the bathroom
  • Before and after treating a cut and/ or open wound
  • After blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing

The five rules to washing your hands according to the CDC are:

  1. Wet your hands with running water.
  2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with soap.  Be sure to wash the backs of your hands, between your fingers and under your fingernails.
  3. Scrub your hands for AT LEAST 20 seconds.
  4. Rinse your hands under clean running water.
  5. Dry your hands with a clean paper towel or air drier.

The CDC has put together several videos sharing the importance of washing your hands and showing you how you the correct way to do so.