Hand Sanitizing Instructions

Cleaning your hands thoroughly is one of the most consistent, preventative measures you can take to maintain your own personal health, and the health of your family. Germs are frequently transmitted by an infected person touching an object (such as a doorknob) that is then touched by the next person. By following a few simple hand sanitizing instructions and understanding proper procedure you can prevent the spread of highly transmitted diseases.

Soap and water

• You don't need high-test anti-bacterial products to clean your hands. Using a simple bar or liquid soap will do just fine. Wet your hands with running water and use enough soap to create a good lather. Rub your hands together vigorously for at least 20 seconds, making sure to wash the fronts and backs. To be thorough, you will also want to clean underneath your fingernails to remove any contaminants and wash up to your wrists. You will want to repeat this process if you have been working with raw meat products, after visiting the bathroom, changing diapers, after sneezing or coughing into your hands, before treating minor wounds or cleaning up animal wastes. After you have washed your hands, use a disposable paper towel for drying.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers

• On the occasions when we don't have access to running water, using an alcohol-based sanitizer is an acceptable substitute. To use: put a small amount of sanitizer in the palm of your hand and rub hands together, front and back, until all of the sanitizer has dried.

Another preventative measure

• If you want to avoid getting any potential contaminants on your hands, you can always use plastic or latex disposable gloves if you are working with hazardous substances like raw meats or bodily fluids. These are fairly inexpensive and can be purchased at most grocery and drugstores.