CHENANGO COUNTY - Handwashing is a simple and effective way to prevent infections. It’s important to understand when to wash your hands, how to properly use hand sanitizer, and how to encourage your children to develop this habit. Place hand hygiene at the top of the list of preventive measures we should all take, especially during the colder months.

For optimal cleanliness, wash your hands with soap and water by following a few straightforward steps. First, wet your hands with running water. Next, apply soap and lather well. Then, rub your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds, ensuring you scrub all surfaces. Finally, rinse thoroughly and dry your hands with a clean towel or air dryer. Remember, regular soap is just as effective as antibacterial soap and does not contribute to antibiotic resistance.

Knowing when to wash your hands is crucial. Be sure to wash your hands before preparing food, eating, treating wounds, or touching someone who is sick. It is equally important to wash your hands after these activities, especially after preparing food (particularly raw meat), using the toilet, changing a diaper, or touching animals. Additionally, remember to wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.

When soap and water are not available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. To use hand sanitizer, apply enough to cover your hands and rub them together until dry, which should take about 25 seconds. However, if your hands are visibly dirty, it is always best to wash them with soap and water.

Teaching children about hand washing is vital for instilling healthy habits for everyone. Encourage your kids to wash their hands frequently by doing it together. Make it fun by suggesting they wash their hands for as long as it takes to sing "Happy Birthday" twice. Additionally, use reminders placed at their eye level to help them remember to wash their hands.

For more information go to: www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/hand-washing/art-20046253 or www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/index.html or https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/7102/

Persons with questions or requiring additional information may contact the Chenango County Health Department at (607) 337-1660.