Why It's Important to Wash Your Hands

It shouldn't be news to you that you should wash your hands with soap and water after going to the can, especially since you've been told dozens of times by your parents or teachers. But do you? Find out why it's so important to wash your hands regularly!

Why Should You Wash Your Hands?

Can you imagine what kind of nasty germs are lurking around school or at the park or on that basketball you've been slam dunking for the past hour? They're so tiny that you can only see 'em from under a microscope, but they're there, crawling from that dirty, germ-infested doorknob onto your hand - ick! But washing your hands helps prevent the spread of germs, bacteria and disease. If ya don't wash your hands after doing your business in the bathroom or after playin' on the playground, you can get sick with colds and flus or more serious stuff like severe diarrhea, pneumonia and E. coli.

When Should You Wash Your Hands?

After using the can

After playing outside

After playing with your pets

After coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose

Before eating snacks and meals

How to Wash Your Hands Properly

You should always wash your hands with soap and warm water. Make a soapy lather and scrub between your fingers, around your nails, the palms, the back of your hands and your wrists for at least 15 seconds. To make it easier and more fun, sing Happy Birthday or Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star in your head! When you're done, rinse your hands thoroughly and dry 'em with a paper towel - that's all it takes! And if you're in a situation where there's no soap and water available, you can use a hand sanitizer, which is an antiseptic that kills 99.99% of germs without any water or towels. They come in small bottles that fit in your bag or pocket.

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