New cases of swine flu are still being reported every day. Fortunately, most people who have suffered with it have recovered. We are told not to panic, but to do what we can to prevent it. One of the most important things you can do, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Mayo Clinic, is to wash your hands frequently. Washing them frequently won't do the job, unless you take the time to do it correctly. Everyone is in a hurry, some more than others, and I have been paying attention to how people wash their hands. Some just rinse, and don't use soap; other use soap, for about two seconds, and call it done. Here's a refresher on the correct way to wash your hands to help you stay well. This is from information I gathered from the web, as well as what I learned when I worked at a hospital.
- Wet your hands first under running water - warm water is best
- Then apply soap - liquid or bar soap are both fine - and lather
- Rub your hands together - not just your palms. Wash the back of your hands; under your fingernails; between your fingers - you can do this by folding your hands and rubbing your fingers together
- It is important that you do it long enough. The Mayo clinic recommends at least 15 to 20 seconds. I have heard that you should wash your hands for at least as long as it takes to sing the "Happy Birthday" song
- Rinse your hands with warm water
- Dry them with a clean regular towel or paper towel
- When you turn off the faucet, you should turn it off with the towel
If soap and water is not available, it's o.k. to use the alcohol based hand sanitizers. For more on the hand sanitizers and hand washing you can visit the Mayo Clinic site http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hand-washing/HQ00407
The main thing is to take the time to do it right. The time you take washing your hands and doing it correctly, is worth more than the time it would take you to be sick.
Copyright 2009 Organized Enough LLC
Organizing and Productivity Coaching for ADHD Students http://www.organizedenough.com
Great tips, Kathy!
ReplyDeleteI was also taught to tip your hands downward in the sink (fingers below wrists) so that all of the dirt you are washing off drips into the sink, and not back onto your hands.