National Handwashing Awareness Week (December 2-8, 2018) is an opportunity to increase awareness on the importance of handwashing to prevent diseases and save lives. This week and all year round, everyone can do their part to increase hand hygiene awareness.
During the 2017-2018 flu season, several schools around the nation shut down due to widespread outbreaks of the flu1. Flu activity is increasing in the United States and the severity of every flu season is unpredictable. By following simple prevention steps, you can help prevent and slow the spread of flu in your community to have the healthiest season yet.
The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year. In addition to getting a flu vaccine, good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands can help stop the spread of germs. Handwashing with soap and water is critical to the health and well-being of yourself, and your family, friends, and the community-at-large.
The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend washing hands to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.
How should you wash your hands?
- Wet your hands with clean, running water, turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.2
How do you use hand sanitizers?
- Apply the product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).
- Rub your hands together.
- Rub the product over all surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry.2
This cold and flu season, spread the word to school communities about ACI’s grassroots, education-based program, Healthy Schools, Healthy People. Established in 2003, this national awards program is a joint initiative between the ACI and CDC designed to help keep students in school and learning by promoting clean hands.
Contact your local school and encourage them to learn more and apply to Healthy Schools, Healthy People before January 31, 2019. Follow the American Cleaning Institute and the #HealthySchoolsHealthyPeople campaign on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest on illness prevention and useful hand hygiene tips.