How often have you and your child washed your hands today? It might not be something you think about much—it’s either second nature, done automatically throughout the day, or perhaps not as often as it should be. However, as your pediatrician may have mentioned, hand washing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of illness.

Building a Hand Washing Habit

Encouraging your child to wash their hands frequently and properly from an early age can help establish a lifelong healthy habit. Throughout the day, children come into contact with countless bacteria and viruses—whether playing with friends, handling toys, or petting a family pet. These germs can quickly enter their system when they:

Rub their eyes
Touch their nose
Put their fingers in their mouth

In just a matter of seconds, this can lead to infections that last days or even weeks.

When to Wash Hands

Hand washing is a powerful tool in stopping the spread of germs. It’s essential to encourage kids to clean their hands regularly, especially:

Before eating meals or snacks
After using the restroom
After playing outside
After touching animals, including pets
After sneezing or coughing (especially when covering their mouth with their hands)
When someone in the household is sick

Unfortunately, studies show that many people don’t wash their hands properly—often just rinsing with water or using a small amount of soap without thoroughly scrubbing.

How to Wash Hands Properly

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following steps for effective hand washing:

Wet hands with clean water.
Apply soap—either liquid or bar soap placed on a draining rack.
Rub hands together vigorously, making sure to scrub every surface, including between fingers and under nails.
Continue scrubbing for at least 20 seconds to remove germs.
Rinse hands thoroughly and dry them with a clean towel or air dryer.

Are Antibacterial Soaps Better?

While antibacterial soaps are widely available, research suggests they are no more effective at removing dirt and germs than regular soap. Some experts even warn that overuse of antibacterial products may contribute to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

For the best results, stick to warm water and regular soap without antibacterial agents like triclosan. When soap and water aren’t available, alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be a helpful alternative—but only if hands aren’t visibly dirty.

Making Hand Washing a Routine

A proper hand washing routine takes longer than most people realize—20 seconds may seem short, but it’s longer than you think! To make it fun, try timing your child or singing a short song that lasts about 20 seconds. Encourage them to practice good hygiene not just at home, but also at school, at friends’ houses, and in public spaces.

Good hand washing habits are easy to develop and can make a big difference in staying healthy year-round!

This content has been provided by the Children’s Clinic in Jackson, TN.

Click To Read Original Article: https://shorturl.at/vaGdm