Originally Posted in October 2020 / Edited in October 2025
Hand hygiene for all!! Happy Global Handwashing Day
Every year on October 15, the world observes Global Handwashing Day, which is a global initiative dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of hand hygiene. This day serves as a reminder that a simple act like washing hands with soap can prevent numerous diseases and save lives.
Global Handwashing Day
What Is Global Handwashing Day?
Established in 2008 by the Global Handwashing Partnership, Global Handwashing Day aims to promote handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives. The day encourages people worldwide to adopt handwashing habits, especially at critical times during the day (The Global Handwashing Partnership). What needs to be done is spread awareness and teach the underpriveliged population of the society so that they can be benefitted from such moments.
Many people globally might not even be aware of the influence that a simple hand wash can have on their health. And many are not even equipped with the simple things like soap and water to wash their hands, which can help leading a healthier lifestyle.
Why Hand Hygiene Matters?
Hand hygiene is a cornerstone of public health. Proper hand washing can reduce the spread of infectious diseases, including respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. A simple diherrea can be prevented by just washing your hands regularly. Children should be taught personal hygiene habits at an early age.
Key Benefits:
- Prevents Disease Spread: Regular hand washing with soap removes germs that cause illnesses.
- Reduces Healthcare Costs: By preventing infections, hand hygiene reduces the need for medical treatments and hospitalizations especially in children.
- Promotes Healthy Communities: Communities with good hand hygiene practices experience fewer outbreaks of diseases.
Hand washing should be taught to children by parents at home and also by teachers at school.
How to Wash Your Hands Properly
Hand washing has gained much importance since we entered the era of COVID-19.
How many of us were aware that washing hands for at least 20 seconds is a must?
Not many.
20 seconds is not a very long time, but when we wash our hands it seems to be forever. It takes at least 20 seconds with soap and water for the germs to go off your hands while hand wash.
Effective hand washing involves more than just a quick rinse. Follow these steps to ensure clean hands always:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water.
- Apply soap and lather well.
- Scrub all surfaces of your hands, including between your fingers and under your nails, for at least 20 seconds.
- Rinse thoroughly under clean, running water.
- Dry with a clean towel or air dry.
Remember, washing for at least 20 seconds is crucial for effectively removing germs www.ndtv.com.
Common Handwashing Mistakes to Avoid
Even with good intentions, improper handwashing can still spread germs. Be mindful of these common errors:
- Skipping soap: Soap helps lift dirt and germs from your hands. If you are washing your hands without soap it is of no use. So always remember to use soap and teach the same to your children.
- Washing for too little time: Just quickly rinsing your hands under water is not suffiencient and you need to wash them for atleast 20 seconds. So, do not be in a hurry.
- Not drying hands properly: Make sure you dry your hands with a clean towel aftet washing as moist hands can transfer germs more easily.
- Touching dirty surfaces after washing: Be cautious of what you touch after washing your hands. Remember, you just cleaned them.
Teaching Children the Importance of Hand Hygiene
Instilling good hygiene habits in children sets the foundation for a healthy future. Here’s how you can help:
- Lead by example: Children mimic adults; demonstrate proper handwashing. Do not underestimate them. A child as young as 2 years of age can start washing his or her own hands under parental supervision.
- Make it fun: Use songs or timers to make handwashing enjoyable, if your child is initially not fond of it.
- Educate early: Start teaching hygiene practices at a young age, as this is the age where habits are developed.
Many times, we hear parents saying, “My kid is just 2 years old, and how will he or she be able to do it at such a young age?”
To them, I would say it is easier to teach a kid so young; yes, they will take time to master it, but they will listen to what you want to teach them. Do it in front of your kid 3-4 times, and after that, you will be surprised to see them trying to copy you and learn. And of course you are there if you feel the hands are still dirty.
The video I am sharing is of my 2-year-old daughter, who loves washing her hands herself, though not the best, but still she does it pretty well, and we as parents can definitely help them if they miss something.
Additional Resources
For more information on hand hygiene practices and Handwashing Day, consider exploring the following resources:
- Global Handwashing Day Official Website
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Handwashing Guidelines
- World Health Organization (WHO) Hand Hygiene Resources
When should you wash your hands?
- Anytime and every time you feel they are dirty
- Before and after you prepare a meal
- Before and after having a meal
- Before and after you have visited a hospital or a patient who is not well
- Have been outside home shopping
- Have been outside home playing any kind of sports
- Have travelled in public transport
- Have been to a party
- Before taking any medication
- Before touching a newborn baby
- After coughing or sneezing
- After using the washroom
- After disposing of the garbage
- After touching your pets
The list is just endless. So, wash your hands when you think you have contact with something that should not go into your system and cause any problem. Make sure to help your kids develop the same habit too. It definitely would help them in future.
Happy Parenting!
Read: Earth Day 2022: What our kids need to know
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or hand hygiene practices.
Beautiful explanation about the importance of washing the hands. Little baby washing the hands in the video is very impressive.
Thanks for the Awareness spread by the dentistmaa web.
Quite detailed and relevant for kids.The blog made a compulsory reading and was not only incisive but inspiring too.Has Good information for young mothers .