National Handwashing Awareness Week December 4-10, 2022

December 4-10, 2022 is observed as National Handwashing Awareness Week. According to the CDC, keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others especially as we continue going through the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water.

Making a habit of good hand hygiene is an easy, effective way to prevent infections and sicknesses. If you’re someone that chooses to skip the handwashing once in a while, read these mind-blowing statistics and you might think again next time!

*80% of communicable diseases can be transferred by touch

*Washing your hands a few times a day can reduce diarrhea rates by 40%

*Touching your face with dirty hands spreads sicknesses pneumonia, a cold and the flu.

*Pneumonia is the number one cause of childhood death and is preventable by regular handwashing.

The two most important times to wash your hands are before and after preparing food, and after going to the bathroom.