Handwashing: A Family Activity | The Source Weekly - Bend, Oregon

Handwashing: A Family Activity

Tips from the CDC

Handwashing is an easy, cheap, and effective way to prevent the spread of germs and keep kids and adults healthy. When your family is healthy, you don't have to worry about missing school, work or other activities.

Handwashing: A Family Activity
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Help your child develop handwashing skills

Teach kids the five easy steps—wet, lather, scrub, rinse and dry—and the key times to wash hands. You can find ways to make it fun, like making up your own handwashing song or turning it into a game.

Give frequent reminders

Building handwashing skills takes time. At first, your child will need regular reminders of how and when to wash hands. It is especially important to remind children to wash their hands after using the bathroom, before eating, after touching pets, after playing outside and after coughing, sneezing or blowing their nose. But once handwashing becomes a habit and a regular part of your child's day, they will practice it throughout their lives.

Handwashing: A Family Activity
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Lead by example by washing your hands

Young children learn by imitating the behaviors of adults in their lives. When you make handwashing part of your routine, you're setting an example for your children to follow.

What if soap and water aren't available?

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol, and wash your hands with soap and water as soon as you can.

Baby Wipes

Baby wipes may make your hands look clean, but they're not designed to remove germs from your hands. CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water when possible.

Remember to make handwashing a healthy habit at home, school, and at play!

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