Press
Release
By
Risë Smythe-Freed RN, Health Officer - Town of
Share Joy, Not Germs!
Steps you and your family can take to stay healthy
this winter.
Wash your
hands with soap and water. The most effective way to prevent the spread of flu and
cold germs is to wash your hands often
with regular soap and warm water. Rub all over your hands
including the backs, palms and even between the fingers for at least 20
seconds. (Tip: Sing the “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” song two times while washing.
It’s fun!) Regular soap and water combined with the scrubbing action helps
dislodge and remove germs. You won’t need to use “antibacterial” soap because
such products do not wash away bacteria and viruses any better than regular
soap and they greatly contribute to the growing problem of antibiotic
resistance.
Use alcohol gel hand rubs often. When you don’t see any dirt or soil
on your hands, you can use hand hygiene instead. Alcohol gel hand rubs are very
effective in killing germs on hands that don’t have visible soil. Most grocery, discount
and drugstores carry the alcohol gels.
If using an alcohol gel, rub the gel all over your hands, fingers and
around and under your nails until dry. The alcohol in the gel kills germs that are
related to colds, flu, and other seasonal illnesses. You can also rub in the
alcohol gel after you wash your hands to further reduce bacteria and viruses.
Repeated use of alcohol gel on hands that don’t have visible soil kills
bacteria and viruses even more effectively!
Share joy, not germs! Germs are often spread when people touch everyday
surfaces and then touch their eyes, nose or mouth. Germs can live for a
long time on even lightly soiled surfaces so keep doorknobs and handles, desks,
keyboards, toilet seat lids, sinks, faucets, and countertops sanitized. A good
rule of thumb is this: if a hand has touched it, sanitize it!
Some
germs
that live in the nose, throat and lungs cause illness like the flu (influenza)
and colds. These germs spread from person to person in droplets from coughs and
sneezes. So, cough or sneeze into a tissue and then throw the tissue away. Wash your hands or use alcohol gel every time
you cough or sneeze.
Joyful living is the best practice! Of course, getting
plenty of rest, dressing warm and eating properly supports your immune system
so that even if you are exposed to cold and flu germs, you might avoid getting
as sick or sick at all. If you do feel ill, stay home. Share joy with friends,
family and co-workers, not the flu! Rest, stay warm, drink lots of water, and
eat properly. Let your family and a friend or neighbor know that you are ill so
they can help you.
Caring for children. Teach children about
hand washing and hand hygiene, getting enough rest, dressing warm, eating
properly and sharing joy. Our children need our protection; they spend their
energies growing and developing and are more vulnerable to illness. Please do
keep children home from school and daycare when they do not feel well.
For more information or to speak with