Proper Handwashing Should be an Early Lesson
November 17th, 2011 
Carol 
With flu shots already available from doctors and local drugstores, illness prevention is on the minds of consumers and healthcare professionals alike—and it’s not just limited to the flu. In corporate America, having any illness progress to the point of needing to take a sick day can have a detrimental effect—not only on worker productivity due to lost time, but also on those employees who literally can’t afford to be sick because they may not be eligible for sick time pay.
Sick time is not just a problem for adults. Each year, more than 164 million school days are lost due to illness according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Many of these illnesses are caused by exposure to viruses and bacteria that are not only passed from person to person but also live on surfaces through our homes as well as at school and the office. Surprisingly the answer to help allay the problem is actually relatively simple and quite obvious: proper handwashing. Although a variety of antibacterial hand sanitizers and wipes are available at stores, handwashing continues to remain one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread many types of infection and illness. But to be effective, it needs to be done properly.
Now is a great time for both teachers and parents to emphasize the importance of proper handwashing. And the earlier that we teach the importance of good hand hygiene practices to our kids, the better the chance it will become a habit throughout their life.
Remember handwashing is designed to eliminate dirt as well as the germs that can make us sick, including bacteria and viruses. A recent germ study by NSF International, an organization committed to protecting public health, cited bathroom and kitchen faucets as some of the “germiest” places in the house as measured by the level of yeast, mold, Staph and coliform (a family of bacteria that includes Salmonella and E. Coli) detected. Some other germy household items included the kitchen sponge, toothbrush holder, pet bowl and kitchen sink.
To help prevent the spread of germs when handling these items, handwashing is key. Unfortunately while many children and adults think they know how to properly wash their hands, arguably most probably haven’t been taught the best method. In fact, during a demonstration at NSF International’s laboratories in Michigan children were asked to apply a special glowing lotion to their hands before washing their hands. Once the children washed up, they placed their hands under a blacklight, and “problem spots” glowed, showing them what areas were missed while washing. The culprits: under the nails, between the fingers, and wrists.
To make sure these locations are not missed when you or your kids wash their hands, follow these simple steps: Wet your hands with warm water; lather your hands with soap; rub your hands together vigorously for 20 seconds, paying special attention to the nails, between the fingers, and wrists; rinse your hands with clean water; and dry your hands thoroughly with a hand dryer or paper towel.
Here are some ways to help make the process of handwashing fun for children:
· Consider creating a handwashing chart at home that tracks each time your child washes his or her hands. Offer them a prize or reward at the end of clean hands week after a designated certain time frame of good handwashing practices.
· Take pictures of places germs live in your child’s environment, such as on the dog (or its toy or dish) or doorknobs, and post them near sinks, on the refrigerator, or near your child’s handwashing chart. This will help remind them of when they need to wash their hands.
· Have young children count to 10 twice while washing their hands to better understand the required 20 seconds.
· Cook with your child, emphasizing the importance of washing your hands both before and after handling food.
· Check out online sites like scrubclub.org for additional fun handwashing ideas.
Handwashing is important for food safety, disease prevention and personal health.
Cheryl Luptowski, Consumer Affairs Officer, NSF International
Posted in 
