It should be accepted that Hand Washing is amongst some of the most affordable and easier techniques to prevent common health related hazards. According to the prominent body, The USCDC or US Center of Diseases Control and Prevention, it is stated that washing hands appropriately is amongst the most crucial and vital modes of preventing contagious as well as conventional diseases and infections. Hence, in order to promote hand washing practice, National Hand Wash Awareness Week is observed every year during the second week of December. During this week, observers of this event will wash their hands as frequently as possible and the exciting fact is that it becomes a habit through the course of the week, The National Hand Wash Awareness Week.

It is recorded that transmission of diseases through the mode of hands may promote the contagion of viruses or bacteria resulting in illness such as cold, influenza and food poisoning (Food borne illness). A perfect example of contagious diseases spreading like a wildfire is the recent eruption of Norwalk virus due to which hundreds of affected individuals where diagnosed with gastrointestinal ailment onboard the Disney Cruise line.

Children are more sensitive to bacteria or viruses; hence, they should practice effectual hand washing techniques. It is often noticed that children do not (or forget to) wash their hands after a session of outdoor play; either under mom’s surveillance or day- care provider’s supervision. This should be strictly averted as children, while playing, are assuredly exposed to virus, bacteria and unhygienic substances; hence, eradication of such hazardous matters is essential through washing hands appropriately.

Also, most children do not exercise washing hands before they start their meal. Unlike adults, children use their hands more often while eating, due to this there are extreme chances of virus or bacteria passing through the food into your child which may further lead to health abnormalities. Hence, make your children habituated to washing hands before they eat their food.

According to a survey executed by Wirthlin Worldwide, it is studied that 95% of answerers assert that they assuredly wash their hands post visiting lavatory. On contrary to this after a secret observation in public lavatory, it is studied that the rate of individuals washing their hands after “answering the nature’s call” is much lower than what was surveyed. In the New York City, the observation indicates that 43% of men and 54% of women wash their hands post visiting the toilet. The overall figure indicates that women are more hygienic than men as the figures explain that 75% of women sanitized their hands as compared to 58% of men.

Most people mull over what is the ideal frequency for washing hands within 24 hours. It should be understood that every daily task that we perform exposes us to pathogens and viruses. Hence, you should wash your hands every time you get a chance, the higher the frequency the lower is the chances of any hazardous micro- organism undermining your health.

Here are some highlighted events wherein you must sanitize your hands.

• Post coughing or sneezing
• Prior to, during or post preparing eatables
• Prior to and post you have your food
• Post visiting lavatory
• Whenever you come home from office, school, college, market or any other place
• Whenever you find your hands dirty
• Sanitize your hands frequently if anyone at home is sick

A proper way to sanitize and ensure hygienic hands is explained below:

To wash your hands correctly first wet your hands properly under tap water. You can adopt a bar detersive for cleansing your hands; but specialized liquid hand wash is something that can work better. Use adequate amount of detersive and scrub your hands all around appropriately in such a way that no space is left untouched. Try to produce high amount of lather and work on your hands at least for a minute. Rinse your hands in running water under tap. Ensure that you use clean towel to dry your hands after washing. In case you are in a public lavatory make sure to touch the door handle or other surface using fresh toilet paper, after sanitizing your hands.

These practices will not only ensure your cleanliness, but when made a habit, it will help you stay safe in long run from pathogens and other hazardous matters that may attack you through mode of unclean hands. Hence, ensure you perform hand wash whenever possible.

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