Today is the start of National Handwashing Awareness Week 2011, which was created to decrease the spread of infectious diseases.  The CDC states that the practice of handwashing has the potential to save more lives than any single vaccine or medical intervention!  It’s also a good opportunity to make sure that children know the proper way to wash their hands, as their immune systems are weaker and can become sick quicker.  In fact, 1 in 3 E. coli outbreaks is caused by poor hand washing by people preparing food.

Here are proper techniques to help keep the flu bug (and the common cold) away this wintery season:

• Wet your hands with warm, running water and apply soap.
• Rub your hands together vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Scrub all surfaces, including between your fingers and under your fingernails.
• Rinse all the soap off.
• Dry your hands thoroughly with a towel.
• Use a towel to turn off the faucet.