'Tis the season of sniffles and sneezes! The City of Raleigh experienced winter weather to kick off the workweek. Whether you spent that time bundled up in front of a fireplace or braved the snow, winter temperatures are here for the season. While seasonal changes bring its share of risks, your tap remains a constant! With work, school, and even holiday prep all happening at once, life can feel like a bit of a whirlwind. And while all the excitement can make for a most wonderful time of year, it can also leave our immune systems feeling a little worn out. Let’s take a moment to take care of ourselves, too. As we all know, it's always a good reminder to maintain—or even increase—our handwashing frequency.
A Few Clean Facts to Hack the Handwashing Game This Season, according to the CDC:
- Handwashing can prevent about 30% of diarrhea-related illnesses and 20% of respiratory infections (like the common cold).
- Germs from unwashed hands can contaminate food and drinks during preparation or consumption.
- Teaching people about handwashing helps reduce the number of people who get sick with diarrhea by 23–40%.
- Germs from unwashed hands can be transferred to other objects, like handrails, tabletops, or toys, and then spread to others.
Healthy Handwashing Habits:
As we've heard many times before: “Wash your hands!” Here's an easy reminder: Wet your hands with clean, running water. Apply soap and rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds. Rinse until all the soap is gone. Turn off the faucet with a paper towel or your elbow. Dry your hands with a clean paper towel or hand towel. Voila! Clean!
Washing your hands prevents illness and stops infections from spreading to others. So, this holiday season, let’s spread joy—not germs!
