Hand washing

Frequent hand washing is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness. Hand washing requires only soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer — a cleanser that doesn't require water. Find out when and how to wash your hands properly.

As you touch people, surfaces and objects throughout the day, you accumulate germs on your hands. In turn, you can infect yourself with these germs by touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Although it's impossible to keep your hands germ-free, washing your hands frequently can help limit the transfer of bacteria, viruses and other microbes.

Always wash your hands before:

*Preparing food
*Eating
*Treating wounds or giving medicine
*Touching a sick or injured person
*Inserting or removing contact lenses

Always wash your hands after:

*Preparing food, especially raw meat or poultry
*Using the toilet
*Changing a diaper
*Touching an animal or animal toys, leashes or waste
*Blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing into your hands
*Treating wounds
*Touching a sick or injured person
*Handling garbage or something that could be contaminated, such as a cleaning cloth or soiled shoes

Of course, it's also important to wash your hands whenever they look dirty.