The Importance of Handwashing
Media coverage has served to heighten public concern about the spread of avian flu worldwide. While avian flu is not currently a threat in the United States, now is the time to get the message out that "hand washing and respiratory etiquette are among some of the best ways to prevent the spread of any kind of flu and many other diseases."
To assist you in understanding the benefits of hand washing and respiratory etiquette please review the information below.
There's nothing like a clean set of hands.
They smell nice. They look nice. They prevent the spread of viruses, like the flu.
Video courtesy of www.5thguy.com
Fun Hand Facts
- Up to half of all men and a quarter of women fail to wash their hands after they use the bathroom.
- Right Handed people tend to wash their left hand more thoroughly than their right, and visa versa.
- We have between 2 and 10 million bacteria between our finger tip and elbow.
- Damp hands spread 1,000 times more germs than dry hands.
- The number of germs on your fingertips doubles after you use the toilet.
- Germs can stay alive on hands for up to three hours.
- Millions of germs hide under watches and bracelets, and there could be as many germs under your ring as there are people in Europe!
Print the above Fun Hand Facts poster to use in your business, office, or home.
Print the Cover Your Cough
Help stop the spread of germs that make you and others sick!
Infection Prevention - Start With Your Hands (brochure)
Remember to WASH YOUR HANDS!
The Places We Miss When Washing!
What Germs Are On Your Hands?
Additional Resources
- Glogerm
- Henry the Hand - Champion Handwasher
- Center for Disease Control
- PKIDs Online - Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases
- Nemours Foundation - KidsHealth
- Education World - The Educator's Best Friend
- Celebrating Children - Handwashing
- FIGHT BAC! Keep Food Safe From Bacteria
Activities
- HealthRICH - Making Health Choices
- Center for Disease Control - BAM! (Body and Mind)
- NSF Scrub Club
- American Museum of Natural History - Infection, Detection, & Protection
- SOAHEC - UNO Handwashing Game
