Clean hands are your best protection against infection. Clean your hands before and after you eat or prepare food, after using the restroom or changing diapers and frequently throughout the day.

There is an appropriate technique for hand washing. After applying soap and warm running water, rub your hands together vigorously for 15 seconds or longer. Get in between fingers and scrub wrist areas. Friction is necessary to rid your hands of germs. Rinse your hands and dry them. Use a clean paper towel to turn off the water faucet. Discard the paper towel in a trash can. At home, change your hand towels frequently, at least every day or more often when washing hands frequently.

Waterless hand sanitizers are very effective for preventing the spread of infection, but only if you use enough to cover your hands and wrists well. After applying the sanitizer, it should take about 15 seconds to rub your hands dry.

“Lots of people have heard that you can sing a song so that you wash your hands for the appropriate amount of time. It takes about 15 seconds to sing the ABC’s,” says Cheryl Thomson, Infection Control coordinator at Pella Regional Health Center. “But no speed singing!”

Sneezing and germs
When you sneeze, turn away from other people and cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. Or better yet, cough or sneeze into your elbow or upper sleeve; not into your hands. If you do sneeze or cough into a tissue, drop the used tissues into the trash and then wash or sanitize your hands.

Cold or flu germs live on countertops, doorknobs and other hard surfaces for 72 hours. Some germs can live several days or longer on hard surfaces. 80 percent of germs are spread through touching of surfaces. That's why it's so important to disinfect surfaces like countertops, sinks, door knobs, phones and TV remotes often. Products labeled "disinfectants," such as sprays and wipes, are designed to kill a broad spectrum of harmful bacteria and viruses (like the flu) that other cleaners cannot. Follow the directions on the label to maximize results.

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