Global Handwashing Day Oct. 15

Washing your hands seems like such a simple thing to do, yet the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says hand washing is the single most important thing we can do to keep from getting sick and spreading illness to others.

Proper handwashing has been promoted heavily in recent years. Each year Extension does a series of monthly nutrition lessons in the second and fourth or fifth grade classrooms of the public schools in the county. The first lesson is always on handwashing, teaching children why it is important to wash their hands and how to do it properly.

Globally, the United Nations has declared October 15 as the first-ever Global Handwashing Day. Although people around the world wash their hands with water, very few wash their hands with soap. A $3.35 investment in handwashing brings the same health benefits as an $11 investment in latrine construction, a $200 investment in household water supply or an investment of thousands of dollars in immunizations.

Handwashing with soap is among the most effective and inexpensive ways to prevent diarrheal diseases and pneumonia, which together are responsible for the majority of child deaths. Every year, more than 3.5 million children around the world do not live to celebrate their fifth birthday because of diarrhea and pneumonia. Yet, despite its lifesaving potential, handwashing with soap is seldom practiced and not always easy to promote in many countries of the world.

Using soap adds to the time spent washing, breaks down the grease and dirt that carry most germs by encouraging the rubbing and friction that dislodge them and leaves hands smelling pleasant.

Infectious diseases, colds, flu, and foodborne illness can all be greatly reduced with proper handwashing.

Some critical times for handwashing are:

* Before and after meals and snacks.

* Before and after preparing food, especially raw meat, poultry, or seafood.

* Before caring for young children.

* After using the restroom.

* After touching animals.

* After touching a public surface.

* When hands are dirty.

* When you or someone around you is ill.

Following are the steps for washing your hands the right way:

* Wet hands with warm running water before reaching for soap, either in bar or liquid form.

* Rub hands together to make a lather. Do this away from running water, so the lather isn't washed away.

* Wash the front and back of hands, between fingers and under nails. Continue washing for 15 seconds or more. We tell the elementary school children that is about as long as it takes to sing the ABC Song.

* Rinse hands well under warm running water.

* Dry hands thoroughly with a clean towel or air dryer.

* Alcohol based hand sanitizers or gels or antibacterial wipes are useful alternatives if soap and water are not available, such as when snacking in the car, at a ball game, or at an outdoor event when water is not available. But, when hands are visibly soiled, they should be washed with soap and water.

Editor's Note: Ann Ludlum is a K-State Research and Extension family and consumer sciences and 4-H extension agent assigned to Bourbon County. She may be reached at (620) 223-3720 or aludlum@ksu.edu.