NATIONAL HAND WASHING AWARENESS WEEK: DECEMBER 4 - 10

Washing Hands Can Prevent Diseases From The Common Cold To Flu, Meningitis And Hepatitis A

Surgeons scrub up and chefs suds up - because hand washing is a proven way to prevent the spread of illness. During National Hand Washing Awareness Week, Dec. 4-10, Delaware's Division of Public Health (DPH) urges all Delawareans to get in the habit of washing up and using hand sanitizer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, clean hands not only prevent the spread of common illnesses like the common cold, but also more serious diseases like hepatitis A, meningitis, the flu and infectious diarrhea. Consider these facts:

• A third of adults in the U.S. do not wash their hands after using the bathroom.
• One in four adults don't wash hands after changing diapers.
• Less than half of Americans wash hands after cleaning up after pets.
• A third of adults wash hands after sneezing/coughing.
• Less than one in five adults wash hands after touching money.
• One in three E. coli occurrences is caused from not washing hands before handling food.

DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay said, "Consistent and proper hand washing can make a big difference in the health of our families and communities. Despite having heard this since childhood, too many people still don't heed the message. We have to change that."

Hand washing is especially important after using the bathroom, changing diapers, cleaning up after pets or handling money.

Follow these steps to correctly wash hands.

1. Wet hands with warm water (not hot) and use soap.
2. Rub hands together, making sure to scrub all areas.
3. Rub for a minimum of 15 seconds - the time it takes to sing "Happy Birthday".
4. Work soap under fingernails. Use a nail brush if possible.
5. Rinse thoroughly, then dry hands on a clean towel.
6. Turn faucet off with the towel, not hands, to keep from recontaminating your freshly cleaned hands.

By following this simple advice and keeping our hands clean, we can literally wash away disease and better protect ourselves and our loved ones.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.