There is a reason why our Mother’s told us to wash our hands before meals!
              

• Turn off the water using a paper towel, covering washed hands to prevent re-contamination.

Hands should be washed after the following activities:

 • Touching bare human body parts other than clean hands and clean, exposed portions of arms

• Using the toilet

• Coughing, sneezing, using a handkerchief or disposable tissue, using tobacco, eating or drinking

• Handling soiled equipment or utensils

• Food preparation, as often as necessary to remove soil and contamination and to prevent cross-contamination when changing tasks

• Switching between working with raw food and working with ready-to-eat food

• Engaging in other activities that contaminate the hands.

Suggestions:  During cold and flu season keep disposable paper products on hand, paper plates, cups, hand towels, tissues.  Do not use other family member’s bath towels & wash cloths.  Wear disposal gloves when cleaning and garbage removal.  Keep sanitizing cleaners and hand soaps available.  Keep the faucet handles, door knobs, computer keyboard/mouse and telephones sanitized

Note:  Hand sanitizers should not be used in lieu of hand-washing with soap and warm, running water.  Hand sanitizers should be used as an adjunct to proper hand-washing.

By Bonnie Dunn (Parsons), Extension Specialist, Extension Specialist in Family and Consumer Sciences for Nutrition and Health Education