Hand washing is one of the most critical steps we can take to protect ourselves and others from infectious diseases. In times of illness outbreaks, it is crucial that we remember the proper hand washing technique that can truly make a significant impact in preventing the spread of diseases. To ensure that we understand the proper hand washing technique, there are several posters available that clearly display the step-by-step process. One of the most informative images is the “Proper Hand Washing Posters” created by KidsCanHaveFun. To start with, we need to wet our hands with clean, running water, either hot or cold, and then apply soap. It is important to remember that the temperature of the water does not have any significant effect on the cleaning process; it’s the duration and method that is most significant. Once we have the soap on our hands, we should start rubbing our hands together to create lather. We want to make sure we are covering all surfaces of our hands, including the back of our hands, between our fingers, under our nails, and around our wrists. Now comes the critical step, we should continue rubbing our hands together for at least 20 seconds. It is during this time that the soap begins to kill the bacteria and viruses on our skin’s surface. It may be helpful to sing the happy birthday song twice during this time as a reminder of how long we should be washing our hands. After washing our hands, we need to rinse them thoroughly under clean, running water, making sure to remove all soap from our hands’ surfaces. Lastly, we should dry our hands completely with a clean towel or an air dryer. It is important not to use a shared towel as it may contain bacteria and viruses from other people who have dried their hands on it. In conclusion, proper hand washing technique is an essential step in protecting ourselves and others from infectious diseases. We should all take the time and follow the proper steps to ensure that we are washing our hands effectively. Remember to wet, lather, scrub, rinse, and dry your hands for at least 20 seconds, and you’ll be doing your part in preventing the spread of disease!
