How to Keep the Doctor Away

Washing hands properly is important to ward off germs that live on the skin. A good hand scrub takes more than just putting fingers in and out of running water and shaking them dry. Never use an already used towel to dry the hands especially in a public bathroom.

Teach your child, by example, how to wash their hands. Explain that quickly dipping hands under running water will not remove the germs that accumulate. Good hygiene practices are important to teach the youngest of children. Be a good example and show and tell them how to wash their hands.

How to Wash Hands

Show them how to pick up the soap and place it under running warm water. Make it fun by teaching them to create a lather with lots of soapy bubbles. Show them to gently scrub each of their fingers; in between the fingers, and the upper part of their hand. Make it a game and they will follow. The same goes when using liquid soap.

Use Paper Towels

Use a clean paper towel if you are in a public rest room, or a clean towel if you are at home. Dirty towels contain germs, so do not add them to your freshly washed hands. Use a clean paper towel to open the door when leaving a public bathroom to keep the germs from getting back on your hands. Learning to keep hands clean is important especially to the child who have a habit of putting their fingers in their mouth.

Eliminate Germs From Entering the Body

Germs that live on the hands will enter the body and cause serious illnesses. If you cannot stop to wash your hands often, use the bottle of liquid cleaners instead. They are inexpensive and should be carried in a pocket or purse at all times.

A quick hands in the water dip is not the way to wash and kill the germs on your skin. Take your time to wash every part of your hand, especially under the fingernails. Buy a fingernail brush if you do not already have one.

Tips to Remember

*Hand washing is the single most important way to prevent disease.

* Wash hands for a minimum of 15-30 seconds to kill germs.

*When you sneeze, don't cough or sneeze in your hand, but into your elbow or shirt. Toss into the laundry when you get home.

*Cuts and scratches on hands should be thoroughly washed and immediately covered with a band aid to ward off infections.

Source: My original article originally published on eHow updated and edited and improved by me