Wash Your Hands
During an emergency , keeping hands clean can help keep you and others healthy .
Washing hands with soap and clean water is the best way to remove germs that can make you and others sick . If you don ’ t have soap and clean water , use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 % alcohol .
Stay healthy by washing your hands many times each day :
BEFORE
• preparing food
• eating
• caring for someone who is sick
• treating a cut or a wound
AFTER
• Using the bathroom
• Changing diapers or cleaning a child who has used the toilet
• Blowing your nose , coughing , or sneezing
• Touching an animal , animal feed , or animal waste
• Handling pet food or pet treats
• Touching garbage
What is the right way to wash your hands ?
1 . Wet your hands with clean running water ( warm or cold ) and apply soap .
2 . Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap .
3 . Scrub all surfaces of your hands , including the palms , backs , fingers , between your fingers , and under your nails .
4 . Keep scrubbing for at least 20 seconds . Need a timer ? Hum the “ Happy Birthday ” song twice .
5 . Rinse your hands well under running water .
6 . Dry your hands using a clean towel or air-dry them .
www . cdc . gov / handwashing