Washing Your Hands

Washing your hands helps you:

• Stay healthy
• Avoid a cold or the flu

Remember to wash your hands:

• Before, during, and after preparing food
• Before eating food
• Before and after caring for someone who is sick
• Before and after treating a cut or wound
• After using the bathroom, changing diapers, or cleaning up a child who has used the bathroom
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After touching an animal, animal food or treats, animal cages, or animal feces (poop)  

1. Wet your hands with clean running water (warm or cold) and apply soap.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap.
3. Scrub all surfaces of your hands, including the palms, backs, fingers, between your fingers, and under your nails.  Keep scrubbing for at least 20 seconds.  Need a timer? Hum the "Happy Birthday" song twice.
4. Rinse your hands under clean, running water.
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

• You can share these tips with your friends!
• The more people who wash their hands, the healthier everyone will be!

CDC - Handwashing Poster

CDC - Hand Sanitizer Fact Sheet

Wash Your Hands Fact Sheet 508