October 15th 2012 marks the fifth Global Handwashing Day.  While this campaign is primarily designed for developing countries where sanitation is sometimes poor it’s a good reminder of the vital importance of handwashing.

CHF is supporting the Global Handwashing Day campaign because the sheer weight of evidence shows that good hand hygiene is key to preventing infections of all kinds, including numerous respiratory infections which may cause added complications for heart children.

The key messages are:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water
• the more vigorous the wash the better
• Don’t miss bits (backs of hands and between fingers)
• Always wash your hands after using the toilet
• Use a clean towel

All sounds obvious perhaps,  but we’ve all seen people go through the motions of hand-washing  seemingly almost out of politeness.  You know the sort; those who wet their hands, give them a shake then leave.

By washing your hands properly, you’re not only protecting yourself but other people too.  With proper hand-washing you’re less likely to get coughs, colds, tummy upsets and a many other everyday and serious infections.

To find out more about the campaign visit: www.globalhandwashing.org

Optimum Method for Washing Hands

Global Handwashing Day Theme Video