01/12/2026
🧼✨ Washing your hands is one of the easiest ways to help prevent the spread of colds and flu! While it's impossible to keep your hands germ-free all the time, there are key moments when it's super important to clean your hands. Here’s when you should do it:
🧑🍳 Before eating
🚽 After using the bathroom
👶 After changing a diaper (don't forget to clean the little one’s hands too!)
🍗 Before and after preparing food, especially after handling meat, poultry, or fish
🐾 After touching animals or their waste
🤧 After blowing your nose
🤒 After coughing or sneezing into your hands
🩹 Before and after treating wounds/cuts
🧑⚕️ Before and after touching a sick or injured person
🗑️ After handling garbage
👁️ Before inserting or removing contact lenses
Why does this matter? Because infectious diseases like the common cold, influenza, and even gastrointestinal disorders spread through hand-to-hand contact. 🤧💥 And did you know? Influenza can be much more serious, especially for older adults or those with chronic conditions. In fact, influenza and pneumonia combined are the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S.! 😷
How to wash your hands like a pro:
💧 Wet your hands with warm, running water and apply soap.
👐 Rub your hands together for at least 10-15 seconds.
🎯 Scrub all surfaces – don’t forget your wrists, between your fingers, and under your nails!
💦 Rinse well.
🧻 Dry your hands with a clean or disposable towel.
In public restrooms? Leave the water running when you rinse and use a paper towel to turn off the faucet.
