Hands are the part of the body that are most exposed to germs.

From launching a Global Handwashing Day campaign to learning more about hygiene, there is something that everyone can do to promote handwashing. 

Hands are the part of the body that are most exposed to germs and substances in every environment shared with other people. Be it your home, office, schools, hospitals, shopping centres or public transport, you can pick up unwanted germs and transmit them to your mouth or to other objects or people.
As 80% of communicable diseases are transferred by touch, many germs that can make people sick are spread when we don’t wash our hands with soap and clean, running water. It is basic and recognized that handwashing with soap for at least 20 seconds, removes germs from hands that will prevent the
 spreading of infections since germs can get into the body through the eyes, nose and mouth or just by contact with surfaces. Simple facts like knowing that washing hands can reduce the number of people getting sick with diarrhea by 23 to 40% speak for themselves.

• That is why handwashing is so important, especially:
• After using public transport
• Before preparing food
• After touching raw, fresh or frozen fish or meat
• After mopping, sweeping, removing garbage
• After using the telephone
• After using the bathroom
• Before and after eating
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After touching anything that might result in contamination of hands, like taking care of a wound or a cut, changing diapers or playing with an animal

Sadly, according to a survey held in the United States, only 67% of people practice any sort of hand hygiene, so the message still needs to be passed on; wash your hands and don’t forget to dry them thoroughly as well, as damp hands are 1,000 times more likely to spread bacteria than dry ones.

And, if you need ideas to celebrate Global Handwashing Day, you can always drop us an email. We look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together over the next three years.