International Hand Washing Day Ideas
RESOURCE DOCUMENT FOR VOLUNTEERS FOR PLANNING HANDWASHING PROMOTION ACTIVITIES
Some Key Points on Hand Washing
Hand washing with soap is a very important preventive practice. Studies show that if done as recommended, it prevents almost half of the cases of diarrhea and almost a third of the cases of pneumonia in children. These two conditions are among the top causes of children’s illness and deaths. Hand washing with soap can also prevent many cases of influenza and other respiratory diseases, such as the so-called swine flu.
Hand washing with water only does not remove many germs.
To be effective, hand washing requires some cleansing agent to be used with running (falling) water and good rubbing, especially of fingers.
As long as the water is running water, it does not have to be treated first.
The best cleaning agent is hand soap. Detergent or laundry soap works fine but is not preferred because, if used frequently, it can dry out/irritate skin. Ashes, sand, or even mud can do almost as good a job as soap when used well.
Once washed, hands should be air dried or dried on a clean cloth – not on a dirty cloth or clothes. In many settings in developing countries, it is extremely unlikely that a clean cloth will be available, so the best advice in general is to dry hands by shaking them then waving them in the air.
There are various key times when it is advisable to wash hands with soap; however, outreach workers may well need to negotiate these times with mothers because washing at all of these times for busy mothers is not usually possible.
The most important times are after defecating, cleaning the baby’s bottom or diaper, or otherwise coming into contact with feces.
Other important times are before preparing, eating food, or feeding, especially when hands come into direct contact with the food.
Mothers need to wash the hands often of young children who are allowed to play on the ground, especially when the children are
Some Key Points on Hand Washing
Hand washing with soap is a very important preventive practice. Studies show that if done as recommended, it prevents almost half of the cases of diarrhea and almost a third of the cases of pneumonia in children. These two conditions are among the top causes of children’s illness and deaths. Hand washing with soap can also prevent many cases of influenza and other respiratory diseases, such as the so-called swine flu.
Hand washing with water only does not remove many germs.
To be effective, hand washing requires some cleansing agent to be used with running (falling) water and good rubbing, especially of fingers.
As long as the water is running water, it does not have to be treated first.
The best cleaning agent is hand soap. Detergent or laundry soap works fine but is not preferred because, if used frequently, it can dry out/irritate skin. Ashes, sand, or even mud can do almost as good a job as soap when used well.
Once washed, hands should be air dried or dried on a clean cloth – not on a dirty cloth or clothes. In many settings in developing countries, it is extremely unlikely that a clean cloth will be available, so the best advice in general is to dry hands by shaking them then waving them in the air.
There are various key times when it is advisable to wash hands with soap; however, outreach workers may well need to negotiate these times with mothers because washing at all of these times for busy mothers is not usually possible.
The most important times are after defecating, cleaning the baby’s bottom or diaper, or otherwise coming into contact with feces.
Other important times are before preparing, eating food, or feeding, especially when hands come into direct contact with the food.
Mothers need to wash the hands often of young children who are allowed to play on the ground, especially when the children are