hand washing saves lives

Meanwhile, back at the infirmary, we've been battling everything from bronchitis, to the flu to pneumonia.

We just can't seem to get on top of it.

So, I woke up one morning feeling the need to sanitize everything, buy more hand soap for the kids' bathroom and even break down and get some hand sanitizer.  I went to the store and bought several bottles of bathroom hand soap and one bottle of hand sanitizer.  I put several bottles of hand soap in the kids' bathroom.  Do you think they will get the message?
I hope so.

I don't worry about my littlest.  Her favorite thing to do is go play in the soap in the bathroom.  It's all of the above that I'm not sure about... I thought about installing a nanny cam in the bathroom to catch culprits until my hubby helped me see the error in my thinking...

I've issued an executive order that there be no more hugs, kisses or hand shaking until the end of the cold and flu season, but dang it, I'm the one that breaks the edict the most.  My kids are just too darn hug-able and kissable.

With five kids home, we spread germs like wild fire apparently.  We're like a virtual petri dish here.

Just in case you wanted to be reminded of some of the virtues of cleanliness I've compiled a few facts about the subject:

Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives

Keeping hands clean through improved hand hygiene is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water. If clean, running water is not accessible, as is common in many parts of the world, use soap and available water. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol to clean hands.

When should you wash your hands?

• Before, during, and after preparing food
• Before eating food
• Before and after caring for someone who is sick
• Before and after treating a cut or wound
• After using the toilet
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After touching an animal or animal waste
• After handling pet food or pet treats
• After touching garbage

What if I don’t have soap and clean, running water?

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to reduce the number of germs on them. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, but sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs.
Hand sanitizers are not as effective when hands are visibly dirty.
How do you use hand sanitizers?

• Apply the product to the palm of one hand.
• Rub your hands together.
• Rub the product over all surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry.

 source CDC

How to wash your hands

It's generally best to wash your hands with soap and water. Follow these simple steps:

• Wet your hands with running water.
• Apply liquid, bar or powder soap.
• Lather well.
• Rub your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Remember to scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers and under your fingernails.
• Rinse well.
• Dry your hands with a clean or disposable towel or air dryer.
• If possible, use your towel to turn off the faucet.

Keep in mind that antibacterial soap is no more effective at killing germs than is regular soap. Using antibacterial soap may even lead to the development of bacteria that are resistant to the product's antimicrobial agents — making it harder to kill these germs in the future. 

A simple way to stay healthy

Hand-washing doesn't take much time or effort, but it offers great rewards in terms of preventing illness. Adopting this simple habit can play a major role in protecting your health.
source Mayo Clinic


The verdict is still out on hand sanitizer, but this much I do know.  When I used antibacterial dish soap in my kitchen my hands were destroyed.  I'm going to stick with good old fashioned soap and water and use hand sanitizer in an emergency.

I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Don't get me wrong, we all wash our hands and keep a relatively clean house, and I know from a source at the local hospital that some nasty viruses are going around, but we need a leg up in the germ department.

Don't get up in a lather about all this...acutally do.