Hand-washing should be performed more frequently than most people do currently, especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

When should you wash your hands:

1. Before, during, and after preparing food

2. Before eating food

3. Before and after caring for someone who is sick

4. Before and after treating a cut or wound

5. After using the toilet

6. After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet

7. After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

8. After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste

9. After handling pet food or pet treats

10. After touching garbage

HOW should you wash your hands:

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.

2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.

3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.

4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.

5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

WHAT should you do if you don’t have soap and clean, running water?

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to reduce the number of germs on them in most situations. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, but sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs.

This information was obtained from the CDC website at:http://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html

If you have any questions about anything that is presented in these lessons, or have a question about anything regarding food safety, please feel free to contact me.

Check Dr. Mc Keown’s blog daily to see what information we have to share during September, the #National #Foodsafety #Education Month, #NFSM.

Tomorrow’s Lesson: Understanding the Temperature Danger Zone