Knowing the benefits of good hand hygiene and washing your hands properly is the first defensive step to avoid getting sick.

Germs are accumulated on your hands from various sources throughout daily activities – any surface with which you have direct contact, like an office keyboard, doorknob or light switch can carry contagious bacteria.

Washing your hands frequently is the first step to preventative hand hygiene. However, frequency should not diminish quality. The correct steps for washing your hands include wetting them with warm water and soap – regular soap is no better or worse than antibacterial soap, lathering well by rubbing your hands together for at least 15-20 seconds. Make sure to include the backs of your hands, wrists and between your fingers when lathering. Rinsing well allows the water to loosen and remove the bacteria from your hands. Drying your hands with a clean towel and using the towel to turn off the faucet is effective in preventing the germs from getting back on your hands.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers prove to be a great alternative to hand washing, especially when water is not readily available. Alcohol based sanitizers are more effective in killing bacteria and viruses than just soap and water. However if visible dirt is on your hands – always wash first with soap and water.

It’s typical to wash your hands after most bacteria related activities, such as using the restroom, touching raw meat or taking out the trash; however, it is equally important to wash your hands prior to doing these things as well. Before touching/preparing food, before eating, before treating cuts/wounds, before taking out your contact lenses and before using the restroom it is part of good hand hygiene to wash your hands.

Exercising these cautions at home, at work and in public restroom situations is the best defense to avoid getting sick.