Staying Healthy by Washing Your Hands　(2/2)

The experts say that hand washing is especially important before and after preparing food, before eating and after using the toilet. People should wash their hands after handling animals or animal waste, and after cleaning a baby. The experts say it is also a good idea to wash your hands after handling money and after sneezing or coughing. And it is important to wash your hands often when someone in your home is sick.

The experts say the most effective way to wash your hands is to rub them together while using soap and warm water. They say you do not have to use special bacterial" class="hjdict" word="antibacterial" target=_blank>antibacterial soap. Be sure to rub all areas of the hands for about 10 to 15 seconds. The rubbing action helps remove germs. Then rinse the hands with water and dry them.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are rubbed into the hands and do not require soap and water. Experts say these products must contain at least 60% alcohol to be effective in killing most bacteria and viruses.