Handwashing

The Delaware General Health District promotes proper handwashing to adults and children through a demonstration using Glo-germ®. Hands should be washed after using the toilet, after playing with pets, before preparing or eating food, after sneezing or coughing and any other times your hands may become contaminated. Proper handwashing technique involves six simple steps.

1. Rinse hands under warm water.
2. Apply soap to hands and lather.
3. Rub and scrub hands for 20 seconds.
4. Rinse soap from hands with warm water.
5. Dry with single use towel or air dryer.
6. Throw away single use towel.

When we teach proper handwashing to children we teach them to sing a short song or say their ABC’s during step #3-rub and scrub for 20 seconds. In an effort to increase handwashing, the Food Protection and Public Safety Unit held a Handwashing Jingle writing contest in October 2007 that was open to all 5th graders in the health district. There were entries from 15 schools and winners from nine different schools. The grand prize winner was chosen out of the top twelve finalists. Lydia Gray, the grand prize winner was video taped singing her jingle with her class.

If you cannot view the video below (Apple/Mac OS) download Flip4Mac at http://www.flip4mac.com/wmv_download.htm

This page updated: Tuesday February 05, 2008 11:48 AM
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