Saturday, October 15, 2011

Global Handwashing Day!


As simple as it seems to many, proper hand washing is in fact crucial! Studies have shown that hand washing with soap can cut deaths from diarrhea by almost 50 % and deaths from acute respiratory infections by 25 % - saving more lives than any single vaccine or medical intervention!

Washing one's hands with soap, and not with water alone, could reduce worldwide rates of diarrhea by almost half and save deaths of over 3.5 million children under the age of 5!

Because hands act as vectors that carry disease pathogens from person to person, either through direct contact or indirectly through touching surfaces. When not washed with soap, hands that have been in contact with human or animal feces, bodily fluids like nasal excretions, and contaminated foods or water can transport bacteria, viruses, and parasites to unwitting hosts.

So when to wash our hands?
  • Before and after handling/ preparing/ eating food
  • After using the bathroom
  • After blowing your nose
  • After coughing/ sneezing
  • After touching pets and animals
  • Before and after visiting sick people
  • Or simply when they are dirty

And even though the below video is intended to increase kids' awareness about the importance of hand washing, it is quite helpful to show everyone the proper way to wash our hands!

 

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