There are times when your hands should be washed before you start an action — even if you don't think they're that dirty. There are plenty of things we do each and every day that call for a good scrubdown after we're done. I'm sure Momma told you when to wash, but here it is again.
Wash your hands before:
- Making food
- Eating or drinking
- Giving first aid
- Caring for someone who is sick
Wash your hands after:
- Going to the bathroom
- Changing diapers
- Cleaning up after someone who has urinated or defecated
- Giving first aid
- Caring for someone who is sick
- Preparing food, especially after touching raw meat, poultry or fish
- Coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose
- Handling animals or animal waste
- Taking out the garbage
- Handling things that were touched by flood water or sewage
In reality, during a disaster is the worst time to get sick. Medical resources are strained and help may take a long time or be of a lower quality than you're used to getting. Keeping hands clean is the best way to keep bacteria and viruses out of our faces — and out of our systems. Wash your hands as often as necessary, and if water isn't readily available, use a waterless hand sanitizer.
Source:
"Clean Hands Save Lives: Emergency Situations." 04 Jan 2008. CDC Hurricanes. CDC. 04 Sep 2008
