Many of Publix’s best practices work just as well at home as they do on the job, giving you an opportunity to be a role model for your friends and family. For instance, handwashing is a critical workplace safety procedure that is also important off-duty.
You probably already know washing your hands can reduce the spread of germs and colds, and washing with soap and warm water is the best way to reduce bacteria. But did you know hand sanitizer isn’t always a good substitute?
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can help reduce the number of germs on hands, but they don’t eliminate all types of germs and might not remove harmful chemicals. Public health experts recognize handwashing with soap and water as the most optimal way to remove germs from your hands.
To help stay healthy, you should wash your hands
- before, during and after preparing food
- before and after caring for someone who is sick
- before and after treating a cut or wound
- after using the bathroom
- after changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the bathroom
- after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
- after touching an animal, animal feed or animal waste
- after handling pet food or treats and
- after touching garbage.
The entire handwashing process should take 20 seconds — about the time it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song to yourself twice. Wash your hands by wetting them in warm water of at least 100 F. Add soap and lather well for 10 – 15 seconds, paying special attention to the backs of your hands, your fingers and under your nails. Rinse your hands well under clean, running warm water, and dry them with a clean towel.
