1
Introduction
I found a very informative article called "Hand-washing: Do's and Don'ts" by the Mayo Clinic (Hand-washing:
Do’s and Don’ts, 2021).
This paper emphasizes the critical role of hand washing in maintaining good health and preventing the spread of
illnesses. It stresses that proper hand hygiene is essential for minimizing the risk of infections and reducing the
transmission of germs to others. It underscores the significance of integrating hand washing into our daily routines
and following best practices to ensure its effectiveness in promoting overall well-being.
Importance of Hand washing
Effective hand washing is crucial for maintaining good health and preventing the spread of disease. By practicing
proper hand hygiene, individuals can reduce the risk of infection and minimize the transmission of harmful germs
to others.
When to Wash Your Hands: It's important to wash your hands in the following situations:
- Before and after cooking
- Before and after meals
- Before and after providing care for a sick person at home who has diarrhea or vomiting
- Before and after treating a wound or cut
- After using the bathroom
- After potty training, changing diapers, or cleaning up after a child
- After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
- After contact with an animal, animal feed, or animal excrement
- After handling pet treats or food
- After contact with trash
Proper Hand washing Technique: To wash your hands properly:
1. Wet your hands with cold or warm running water.
2. Apply soap and rub your hands together to create a lather.
3. Spend at least 20 seconds washing your hands – about the time it takes to hum "Happy Birthday" twice.
2
4. Pay attention to the spaces between your fingers, under your nails, and the backs of your hands.
5. Rinse your hands thoroughly with clean, running water.
6. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dryer.
Hand Sanitizer
Remember to use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content when you don't have access to soap and water.
It's crucial to look for hand sanitizers that meet this alcohol content requirement.
Critique and Suggestions
The essay effectively emphasizes the importance of hand hygiene and provides useful tips. However, it could
further stress the importance of thorough and proper hand washing techniques. Incorporating images or info
graphics demonstrating the correct hand washing procedures would enhance clarity. Additionally, citing specific
research studies or expert opinions would bolster the credibility of the article.
In summary, the article "Hand-washing: Do's and Don'ts" from the Mayo Clinic highlights how crucial excellent
hand hygiene is to preserving health and halting the spread of disease. It suggests cleaning your hands both before
and after cooking, eating, tending to the ill, dressing wounds, going to the toilet, potty training, changing diapers,
blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, and touching pet food or treats. Wash your hands properly by wetting them
with cold or warm water, rubbing them together with soap for at least 20 seconds, paying attention to the areas
between your fingers, rinsing them well, and drying them. When hand sanitizer is unavailable, it is imperative to
use one that has at least 60% alcohol.
Word count 527
Reference
Hand-washing: Do’s and don’ts. (2021, December 10). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-
lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/hand-washing/art-20046253
When & How to Wash Your Hands
http://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015
