Don't forget to wash your hands - Global Handwashing Day

October 15 is Global Handwashing Day (www.globalhandwashingday.org) providing a timely reminder to make sure we all wash our hands, particularly after going to the toilet and before preparing, serving and eating food. Washing hands is one of the simplest ways we can prevent diarrhoea, food poisoning and upper respiratory tract infections particularly in infants and young children (1).

According to the Food Safety Information Council in Australia, women are reasonable and young girls best at washing and drying their hands while men, especially the older ones are the worst. They also found only 29% of men and 8% of women washed their hands after going to the toilet in a large shopping centre. So we certainly can't take it for granted that everyone will wash their hands and do it correctly. As health professionals, it's important we show parents and carers how to wash and dry their hands effectively, and when, to prevent infections. Parents and carers must also teach children to do this.

The Food Safety Information Council recommends the 20/20 rule for washing and drying hands - 20 seconds for washing (make a good lather with soap by rubbing hands together, clean between fingers and nails); then rinse with clean running water; and finally 20 seconds for drying with a clean cloth.

Hands should be washed and dried 1. before preparing, serving, eating food 2.after changing a nappy 3. after using the toilet 3. after touching raw meat, chicken, fish 4. after blowing your nose  5. after touching a pet.

Visit the Food Safety Information Council's website at www.foodsafety.asn.au for more information, a demonstation of handwashing/drying and resources.

An overview of the role of parents, health professionals, government and the food industry in keeping foods safe for infants and young children appeared in HeinzSight March 2007, Issue 75. This can be accessed in the online resource section of the HeinzSight website.

Reference.

1.Luby SP, Agboatwalla M et al. Effect of handwashing on child health: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2005; Vol 366, July16:225-233

Comments

[Fashionable Earth]

yes ! we wrote about it as well. wash your hands with soap, kids: http://fashionableearth.org/blog/2009/10/15/global-handwashing-day/