National Handwashing Awareness Week
Posted on December 5, 2007
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December 2 – 8, 2007 is National Handwashing Awareness Week in the United States, and schools across the country are taking the opportunity to remind students that handwashing saves lives. Handwashing is the most important measure individuals can take to prevent the spread of infection and illness, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Headlines about staph infections, especially the superbug methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), have encouraged families, schools, and healthcare facilities to become increasingly reliant on hand sanitizers. However, such products are no substitute for good old fashioned soap and warm water. The CDC offers the following guidelines for proper handwashing:
- Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available.
- Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
- Continue rubbing hands for 15-20 seconds. Need a timer? Imagine singing “Happy Birthday” twice through to a friend.
- Rinse hands well under running water.
- Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet.
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are recommended if soap and water are unavailable. See the CDC handwashing feature article for more tips.
The CDC offers medical professionals and educators posters, brochures, and other publications about hygiene and infection control. Visit the CDC Ounce of Prevention Campaign site for further details.
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