"Go wash your hands!" How many times have you heard this story today? You've probably heard it from your mom or dad several times from morning to night, right? So, why do these adults, especially our mothers and doctors, talk so much about hand washing? What's the big secret that everyone is talking about in just applying a little soap and lathering up your hands? Let's talk about it exactly, simply, today.
Why is hand washing so important?
Simply put, washing your hands is the best and easiest way to protect yourself from germs that spread disease. Think about how many things you touch from morning to night. Your toys, books, phone, doorknobs, banknotes, bus seats, toilet doors... All these places can be home to millions of tiny germs, even though we can't see them.
What are these germs? These are tiny organisms that we cannot see with our eyes, such as bacteria and viruses . Some of these organisms can make us sick. Just think about how easily a germ on your hand can get into your mouth, nose, or eyes. We often eat with our hands. Then there is a great chance that the germs on your hands can go directly into your body.
"Our hands are like little transportation vehicles. They carry germs from one place to another, from one person to another."
It's not practical to wear rubber gloves all day. However, you can reduce the chance of these germs making you sick or spreading them to others by washing your hands regularly. This will not only protect you, but also your family, friends, and schoolmates. It is especially important to protect young children, the elderly, or those with other medical conditions (such as diabetes mellitus ) from these germs.
Sometimes we may think, "My hands aren't visibly dirty, so I don't need to wash them." But that's a misconception. Since germs are invisible to our eyes, even if our hands look clean, they can still be carrying germs. That's why it's important to wash your hands frequently.
When exactly should we wash our hands?
Okay, now we know how important it is to wash our hands and why we should do it. But when should we definitely wash our hands? Here are some of those times:
- When your hands get dirty: This is not something to be taken lightly. If your hands are dirty from clay, paint, or any other way, you should definitely wash them.
- Before eating or preparing food: It is very important that our hands are clean when we prepare food, cut vegetables and fruits, and serve food to others. Otherwise, the germs on our hands can go to the food and make everyone who eats it sick. Similarly, we must wash our hands before eating.
- After using the toilet: This is a must-do. There are a lot of germs in the toilet environment. So, after coming from there, you need to wash your hands thoroughly to remove those germs.
- After blowing your nose, sneezing, or coughing: When we sneeze or cough, we put our hands close to our mouth and nose, right? Then, along with the saliva droplets, germs get on our hands. When those hands touch other surfaces, the germs spread. That's why it's important to wash your hands even at times like these.
- After handling pets: Don't forget to wash your hands after lovingly handling your dog, cat, or other animal. Animals can carry germs that can make us sick.
- After playing outside and coming home: When we play in the yard or park, our hands get soil, sand, and many other things on them. They can contain germs. Therefore, it is a good habit to wash your hands as soon as you get home after playing.
- Before and after visiting someone who is sick: If you are visiting a friend or relative who is sick, wash your hands before you go. Also, wash your hands after you come back. This can help prevent you from spreading germs to the sick person and from the sick person spreading germs to you.
- After touching money: Money is something that changes hands many times, so it's wise to wash your hands after touching money.
- After using public transportation: When we travel on buses and trains, we touch many surfaces without realizing it. These surfaces can also contain germs.
- After going out and coming home: In general, make it a habit to wash your hands as the first thing you do when you return home from somewhere.
This list could go on and on. The most important thing is to make it a habit to wash your hands whenever you think your hands might be dirty or contaminated.
How do you properly wash your hands?
Okay, now we know when to wash our hands, and we know the importance of washing our hands. But did you know that many people don't know how to wash their hands properly? Just pouring some water on your hands, applying a little soap, and shaking your hands won't get rid of germs. There is a specific way to wash your hands properly. Let's see how.
Here are some steps to remember the next time you wash your hands:
1. First, wet your hands with clean water. It doesn't have to be hot water. Warm water or even cold water will do. Washing your hands with very hot water can dry out your hands.
2. Next, get enough soap. You can use any type of soap you like. Some soaps have a nice color, shape, and smell, right? But the most important thing is to choose a type of soap that you can rub until it lathers well. It's okay to use antibacterial soaps, but really, even a regular soap will remove enough germs.
3. Now is the most important part. Rub your soaped hands together well.
- Rub your palms together.
- Rub the back of one hand with the palm of the other hand. Then do the same on the other side.
- Rub your fingers together well.
- Rub your fingertips in a circular motion on the palm of your other hand. Do this in both directions.
- Hold the thumb with your other hand and rub it in a circular motion. Do the same with the other thumb.
- Don't forget to rub around your wrists too.
- Clean thoroughly, especially under your nails. The nail bed is a favorite place for germs to hide.
4. You should rub your hands together like this for at least 20 seconds. How long is 20 seconds? You can sing the song "Happy Birthday" twice. Or sing a little song or poem that you have in mind for 20 seconds. This is the time needed for the soap to deactivate and remove germs.
5. Then, wash your hands under running water until all the soap is gone. If soap remains, your hands may become dry and itchy.
6. Finally, dry your hands thoroughly with a clean towel or tissue paper. Wet hands can quickly re-contaminate your hands. If possible, use the same towel to turn off the tap in a public place.
Just think how many diseases you could avoid by following these steps correctly! It's very easy once you make it a habit.
The most important things we need to remember
So, you can see how simple and yet powerful handwashing is, right? It's like a superhero's secret weapon. Even a small thing can make a big difference.
Simply put, handwashing is the easiest, cheapest, and most effective way to protect ourselves from disease. If done correctly, this simple habit can go a long way in helping you, your family, your friends, and society as a whole stay healthy.
So, starting today, let's all start thinking a little more about this and make it a habit to wash our hands thoroughly and regularly, right? This is not only the biggest help you can do for yourself, but it's also a valuable thing you can do as a good citizen who cares about others. Your health is in your hands!
Hand washing, germs, health, disease prevention, cleanliness, soap, correct method
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න