The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has launched a multilingual public education campaign called “Clean Hands,” designed to encourage LA residents and visitors to wash their hands as a means to avoid seasonal flu and for pandemic flu preparedness.
Spring is a season when outbreaks of influenza are common. Although the disease can usually be overcome in a few days, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications every year. In worst cases, the disease can be fatal – on average 36,000 people die from influenza annually.
Here is a great seven-step routine to follow to keep those hands clean and that flu away:
1. Use warm running water.
2. Use soap – liquid or a bar will work fine.
3. Rub your hands together for 15-20 seconds to work up a good lather. Be sure to wash in between your fingers, under your nails and scrub the tops and palms of the hands
4. Rinse all soap off your hands with warm, running water.
5. Dry your hands using a disposable paper towel. Germs can hide in a cloth towel.
6. After drying hands, grasp the faucet handle with your used paper towel to turn off the water. Avoid touching the sink or faucet handled – they’re too germ friendly.
7. Throw your used paper towel in the trash.
For more information about seasonal flu and how to protect you and your family, go to http://lapublichealth.org/acd/flu.htm
