HAND-WASHING Prevents Diseases!!

When mum told you to ''go wash your hands,'' you'd never have imagined that simple-hand washing was to become a worldwide movement. By cleaning hands in the right way and at the right time, World Health Organisation (WHO) experts maintain, you can help reduce infections.'' It's through our hands that we pick up different germs, become infected and spread disease.

When to wash hands:
Do it often. Wash especially when many people are sneezing and sniffing because the common cold virus is often transmitted via doorknobs, switches, taps, phones and other objects that are shared. Also wash after:

• Using a bathroom or changing a baby's diapers.
• Coughing, sneezing or using a handkerchief or tissue.
• Eating.
• Handling soiled utensils.
• Handling or preparing foods, especially after touching raw meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, or eggs.
• Handling garbage, shaking hands, or playing with pets.

How best to wash:

The [US] center for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the following steps for hand washing:

• Wash with soap and warm running water.
• Rub your hands together for at least 15-20 seconds.
• Pay special attention to your wrists, the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under the fingernails.
• Dry your hands on a paper towel.
• Use the paper towel as a barrier between the tap and your freshly washed hands when you turn off the water.

If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizers or alcohol-based hand wipes. When you travel, carry one or both. If using a gel sanitizer, rub your hands till the gel has dried.