Why do I need to wash my hands?
(www.kidshealth.org/kid/talk/qa/wash_hands.html) |
"Did you wash
your hands?"
How many times
did you hear that today? Probably a lot. But why are adults so hung up on
hand washing? Why are they so in love with lather?
Washing your
hands is the best way to stop
germs from spreading. Think about all of the things that you touched
today - from the telephone to the toilet. Maybe you blew your nose in a tissue
and then went outside to dig around the dirt. Whatever you did today,
you came into contact with germs. It's easy for a germ on your hand to end up
in your mouth. Think about how many
foods you eat with your hands.
You can't wear
rubber gloves all day long, but you can wash your hands so those germs don't
get a chance to make you or someone else sick. When germs go down the drain,
they can't make anyone sick.
So when are the
best times to wash your hands?
Before eating or
touching food (like if you're helping cook or bake, for example)
After using the
bathroom
After blowing
your nose or coughing
After
touching pets or other animals
After playing
outside
After visiting a
sick relative or friend
Now you have the
when and the why of hand washing. But did you know that a lot of people don't
know
how to
get their paws perfectly clean? The next time you're told to step up to the
sink and scrub up, remember these handy hints:
Use warm water
(not cold or hot) when you wash your hands.
Use whatever
soap you like. Some soaps come in cool shapes and colors or smell nice, but
whatever kind gets you scrubbing is the kind you should use. Antibacterial
soaps are OK to use, but regular soap works fine.
Work up some
lather on both sides of your hands, your wrists, and between your fingers.
Don't forget to wash around your nails. This is one place germs like to
hide. Wash for about 10 to 15 seconds - about how long it takes to sing
"Happy Birthday." (Sing it quickly two times or just once if you go nice
and slow.)
Rinse and dry
well with a clean towel.
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