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Have U washed your hands 2day?
The Soap and Detergent Association and the American Society for Microbiology have joined hands to encourage clean hands – an especially important partnership during this cold and flu season.
Children have about 6 to 10 colds a year, according to the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases. In families with children in school, the number of colds per child can be as high as 12 a year. One important reason colds are so common in this age group is that they are often in close contact with each other in daycare centers and schools. Adults average 2 to 4 colds a year, although the range varies widely, particularly if there are school-age children in the household.
And then there's that winter bugaboo: the flu. The CDC estimates that 10 to 20 percent of Americans come down with it during each flu season, which typically lasts from November to March. Children are two to three times more likely than adults to get the flu, and children frequently spread the virus to others.
Proper handwashing is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of cold and flu germs. The process is simple:
- Wet hands with warm, running water. Then apply soap.
- Rub hands together vigorously to make a lather and scrub all surfaces. Continue for 20 seconds, which is about how long it takes to sing one verse of "Old MacDonald Had a Farm."
- Rinse well under warm, running water.
- Dry hands thoroughly using paper towels or an air dryer. If possible, use paper towels to turn off the faucet.
The Clean Hands Campaign offers materials that are built around the theme "Have U Washed Your Hands 2Day?" Posters and brochures in bright primary colors are designed to appeal to little ones and capture the attention of the adults. Both the posters and brochures can be downloaded by visiting http://www.cleaning101.com/HandHygiene/index.cfm.
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