Handwashing Safety

Hand washing represents the most effective strategy for preventing the spread of communicable diseases, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health. Washing your hands removes bacteria and viruses from your skin.

Benefits

• Hand washing removes diseases spread through fecal-oral transmission, such as enterovirus, salmonellosis and hepatitis A, as well as diseases spread by respiratory secretions, such as influenza, the common cold and streptococcus.

Time Frame

• Wash your hands before preparing, serving or eating food, or before visiting a sick person. Wash your hands after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, playing outdoors, blowing your nose, coughing, touching animals or visiting a sick person.

Proper Technique

• Washing your hands quickly or carelessly won't keep you safe from germs. After wetting your hands, rub hands vigorously with soap for at least 20 seconds. Make sure to wash the front and back of your hands, under your fingernails and between your fingers. Then rinse your hands, letting the dirty water run down into the sink. Dry your hands with a clean towel and turn off the faucet with the towel.