National Hand Washing Day Oct 15 Published Oct. 15, 2014 By 82nd AMDS Public Health Flight SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 82nd Aerospace Medical Squadron public health flight is happy to celebrate National Hand Washing day on Oct. 15, 2014. This day was created for children and schools, but is celebrated by anyone promoting proper hand washing. Over 200-million people are involved in celebrations in over 100 countries. There are many organizations that founded this day including: Academy for Educational Development, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Colgate-Palmolive, and others that are well-known internationally. Although this day is of great significance, the importance of proper hand washing should be stressed on a routine basis. Regular hand washing is our first line of defense in disease prevention. Many diseases and conditions are spread due to lack of proper hand washing with soap and clean, running water. Diarrheal diseases and pneumonia are the top two killers of children around the world. Hand washing with soap can significantly decrease the number of young children who get sick. About 1 out of 3 children who get sick from diarrhea and almost one out of six children with respiratory infections like pneumonia could be protected by hand washing with soap. Hand washing removes germs and bacteria from our hands. This helps prevention of infections because unwashed hands can transfer germs into food and drinks while being prepared or consumed. Also, people touch their eyes, nose, and mouth unconsciously and germs can get into the body through these body parts. Not only do people touch their own body parts, but they also touch common areas like handrails, table tops, door handles, or toys. It is imperative that hand washing is conducted after using the restroom, before and after eating or handling food, after smoking, after playing with pets, and before holding a baby. Proper hand washing steps: · Wet your hands with clean warm running water · Turn on faucet · Apply soap, then lather and scrub for at least 20 seconds (sign ABC's or AF song) o Make sure to wash in between fingers, under nails, and top of hands · Rinse for 10 seconds · Dry your hands with paper towel · Use the paper towel to turn off the water faucet For more information on National Hand Washing day visit: http://www.cdc.gov/features/globalhandwashing/index.html or contact the 82nd AMDS Public Health flight at (940) 676-3052.