It’s cold and flu season again, which makes this a good time to remind employees about preventing the spread of infection—at work and at home.
Have you—or your employees—ever received a gift you didn’t want? While some of us may have a few presents hidden away in back closets, all of us have undoubtedly received too many unwanted colds and flu from family, friends, and co-workers. But there’s an easy way to prevent getting—and giving—these illnesses: Wash your hands frequently throughout the day.
Help your employees give their health a (clean) hand and celebrate National Hand Washing Awareness Week, December 4 to 10, by giving them these recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for when to wash their hands:
- Before and after eating
- After going to the bathroom
- After changing diapers or helping a young child in the bathroom
- After coming in contact with vomit or other body fluids
- After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
- Before and after treating an injury
- After touching animals or animal waste
- More often when someone around you is sick
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Inform employees that it’s not just when but how they wash their hands that makes the difference. To wash hands effectively, use warm water and soap, lather the whole surface of the hands, and rub for 20 seconds before rinsing and drying thoroughly.
If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol gel or wipe. Rub the gel or wipe over the whole surface of your hand. But still remember to wash with soap and water as soon as it becomes available
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Why It Matters
- According to the CDC, 5 percent to 20 percent of the U.S. population gets the flu every year,
- More than 200,000 people are hospitalized, and
- 36,000 people die annually.