Germs, which is the catchall name for bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms can be found most everywhere. They are lurking in our cars, our places of work, the stores we shop, at the office, movie theatres, restaurants and even though we may not like to think about it, they are also present in our homes.
I worked for many years as an Operating Room Registered Nurse and I cannot overemphasize the importance of proper hand washing and hand hygiene.
It was drilled into us from day one to wash our hands, wash our hands and then wash some more.
The real world, however, is not an OR theatre, it is not usually necessary for five or three-minute hand scrubs many times a day. But it is necessary to take as many precautions as possible to minimize contact with germs and to prevent the spread of germs.
I’m not sure about your little ones, but when my kids were little, just around the time when they went back to school, they always seemed to catch every illness going. Now is the perfect time for families to brush up on hand hygiene. It is also the perfect time to make a conscious decision to reducing the spread of illness-causing germs.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other leading health organizations, proper hand hygiene is one of the most important preventive measures you can take to reduce your risk of illness and infection.[1]
Tips for Practicing Good Hand Hygiene
Hand hygiene is significantly important in helping to prevent the spread of germs.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds and if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. (For normal hand washing, we were taught to sing the Happy Birthday song, which takes about 20 seconds.)
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as toys and doorknobs.
When soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, like PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer, that contains as least 60% alcohol. [2]
I like to keep a variety of PURELL® products, such as the Advanced Hand Sanitizer and PURELL® Hand Sanitizing Wipes close by. That makes it easy to incorporate using them into our everyday routine.
Our family has made a commitment to using PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer at least three times a day. To encourage its use when soap and water aren’t available, make sanitizer easily accessible.
- Keep it in your car (I always have some in the glove compartment to sanitize my hands after shopping).
- Attach it to your kid’s backpacks.
- Keep a container in your kitchen and in addition to hand washing, I like to use sanitizer before food prep.
- Have some in your purse.
- Pack some in your suitcase when traveling – hotel rooms are notoriously dirty.
- Have a bottle on your desk at work.
- Keep some wipes in the bathroom for quickly sanitizing counters, doorknobs, and toilets.
- Attach a little bottle to your key chain for quick, convenient access when you aren’t at home.
- I also keep wipes (as well as a bottle of sanitizer) in the kitchen to wipe down counters and sinks before and after food prep.
Your family can also make a commitment to reducing the spread of illness-causing germs this back-to-school season by taking the PURELL® 30-Day Challenge!
The #PURELL30 Day Challenge is designed to encourage people to practice good hand cleanliness to help reduce the spread of illness-causing germs.
It’s easy to take part in the challenge, simply visit PURELL® 30-Day Challenge, then:
- Get your family to #ShakeOnIt
- Use PURELL Advanced Hand Sanitizer at least 3 times a day for 30 days.
- Enjoy the health benefits of PURELL products.
Remember, if hands are visibly dirty, it’s always best to clean them with soap and water, but new PURELL Advanced Sanitizing Wipes and PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer can now help remove dirt and eliminate germs.
Take the challenge today and then share your story with #PURELL30. You could win great prizes!
To keep up to date with everything happening with PURELL and the PURELL® 30-Day Challenge, follow along on all their social media sites.
~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Website ~
The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.
[1] http://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/Basics.html
[2] Show me the science. (2013, December 11). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved June 19, 2014, from http://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/show-me-the-science.html
Monica I carry a PURELL bottle everywhere I go! I am taking the challenge and my kids too are on board too!
Tammy @inRdream recently posted…Reminding Us All That Determination and Practice Win #12PrintsProject
That’s awesome Tammy! I have PURELL everywhere too. My hands never feel clean unless I’ve use the hand sanitizer!
Monica recently posted…Safely Hiking New Brunswick’s Fundy Coastline {$750 #WoodsExplorer Giveaway}
I always have hand sanitizer in my purse and in my truck. Life happens, and I am always needing an effective way to get clean.
Randa Derkson recently posted…Pulled Pork Quesadillas – Slow Cooker Style
I’m the same Randa, sanitizing my hands is the first thing I do after getting in my vehicle when I have been to a public venue.
Monica Parlee recently posted…How to Cook Bacon in the Oven
Such a great challenge! I too carry Purell everywhere and so do my kids! I can’t use public restroom soap it irritates my skin and lets be honest it always smells awful so having hand sanitizer keeps me and the kids clean!
Aimee Geroux recently posted…21 Craft & Sensory Play Ideas For Babies & Toddlers
I know how you feel Aimee, I don’t feel clean until I have sanitized my hands.
Monica Parlee recently posted…Amazing Venue and Talent at the Neely G Festival of Music
These are great tips. I always have Purell on hand as I like to make sure my hands are as clean as possible. Definitely have to enforce hand washing even more now that school is here.
Thanks, Danielle and I agree back to school is the perfect time to enforce good hand hygiene.
Monica Parlee recently posted…Safely Hiking New Brunswick’s Fundy Coastline {$750 #WoodsExplorer Giveaway}
I think you hit on a good bit of advice, many people don’t think about washing doorknobs. But seriously those are like the worst for spreading germs! We disinfect our doorknobs multiple times a week!
Amber Edwards recently posted…Febreze Air Purifier for odor is a breath of fresh air! #KeepItFresh
I know Amber! Doorknobs and the flush handle are so gross, I also sanitize mine several times a week.
Monica Parlee recently posted…How to Cook Bacon in the Oven
The 30 Day Purell Challenge is a great idea and perfect for back to school. We have the little bottles all over the place and I love the ones that can attach to your bag. Perfect!
Suzanne Rudge recently posted…Wordless Wednesday: August 26th, 2015
I love the little ones that attach to a keychain, purse, lunch bag Suzanne, they are the perfect size and very convenient.
Monica Parlee recently posted…Your Family Doesn’t Need to Rely on Dr. Google
I’m ready to take the challenge. I have a bottle on my desk right now. I know cold and flu season is around the corner, and I want to be prepared.
Crystal recently posted…Bento Lunch Supplies & Accessories
I always have a bottle on my desk too Crystal. Have fun with the challenge.
Monica Parlee recently posted…Safely Hiking New Brunswick’s Fundy Coastline {$750 #WoodsExplorer Giveaway}
Oh yes! I keep a bottle in my van, my diaper bag and smaller bottles in my kids backpacks! Definitely a must have!
I agree, hand sanitizer is definitely a “must have” and I have bottles stashed al over the house, purse, lunch bags and vehicles.
Monica Parlee recently posted…Your Family Doesn’t Need to Rely on Dr. Google
Purell is a staple in my home! I’ve been on the challenge for years and both my kids are very familiar with the product. I’m a big germaphobe – haha!
Jeannette recently posted…Snacking Our Way Towards an Exciting School Year
I hear you, Jeannette, I am a bit, okay more than a bit…lol, of a germaphobe myself!
Monica Parlee recently posted…How to Cook Bacon in the Oven
I need to keep a small one in my purse now that I have a bigger purse! lol I had one in the car but it kept leaking and I got out of the habit of using it.
Jennifer (momvstheboys) recently posted…Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Jennifer, it’s great that you can find the perfect size, even a smallish purse.
Monica Parlee recently posted…Amazing Venue and Talent at the Neely G Festival of Music
I love the small bottle for key chains. I wish I could find the refills for it. Those are my favorite scents for hand sanitizer gel.
Nicole B recently posted…10 Tips For Getting Pregnant
I lOVE the small key chain size too Nicole, always handy when you are out in your vehicle.
Monica Parlee recently posted…Safely Hiking New Brunswick’s Fundy Coastline {$750 #WoodsExplorer Giveaway}
i keep sanitizer in my purse, you never know when you will need it :)
Travel Blogger recently posted…Healthy Snacking With Yoplait #ad
I keep a stash in various places too, like you said, you never know when you will need it!
Monica Parlee recently posted…How to Cook Bacon in the Oven