Global Handwashing Day 2021: Wash Hands To Prevent Diseases

To highlight the importance of washing hands with soap and water, every year 15th October is observed as Global Handwashing Day. Handwashing is one of the best and easiest ways to prevent many diseases and avoid getting sick. Here is what more you need to know about the day!

COVID-19 did create havoc in the whole world, but an important lesson it taught us was how important personal hygiene is. People all around the globe became habitual of washing their hands with soap and water or using sanitiser in its absence, as well as disinfecting or washing things before using them.

The official website of Global Handwashing Day (GHD) states that As we enter a new normal, beyond Covid-19, our future is at hand. This year’s theme, “Our Future is at Hand – Let’s Move Forward Together,” calls for coordinated action as we actively work toward universal hand hygiene.

Why Is Handwashing Important?

Almost everyone, since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, has become aware of the fact that handwashing with soap and water can prevent numerous infections and diseases like diarrhea, ebola, cholera, hepatitis E, etc. According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), handwashing can:

• Reduce the number of people who get sick with diarrhea by about 23–40%
• Reduce absenteeism due to gastrointestinal illness in schoolchildren by 29–57%
• Reduce diarrheal illness in people with weakened immune systems by about 58%
• Reduce respiratory illnesses, like colds, in the general population by about 16–21%

During COVID-19 people were advised to wash their hands almost every hour. But even in normal conditions, it is very important to adopt the habit of washing hands with soap before and after certain tasks such as eating or preparing food, defecating or using toilets, returning home after venturing out, etc. Also, it is very important to wash your hands properly before touching a baby for any reason.

5 Steps To Washing Your Hands

Here are 5 important steps to properly washing your hands with soap and water, as recommended by CDC

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them

Remember to turn off the faucet/tap once you wet your hands and while rubbing the soap to avoid unnecessary wastage of water. You may also turn off the faucet using a paper towel or tissue once you have washed your hands.