‘Happy birthday’ for hand washing, says Cannon Hygiene

Tomorrow (15 October) is Global Handwashing Day and Cannon Hygiene want more New Zealanders to make sure they are doing it right to help prevent the spread of disease.

Cannon_Handwashing_WebTomorrow (15 October) is Global Handwashing Day and Cannon Hygiene want more New Zealanders to make sure they are doing it right to help prevent the spread of disease.

Cannon Hygiene national product manager, Jeff Fraser, says handwashing is one of the most effective ways to fight illness, but it is often overlooked.

Fraser points out that about 95 percent of people who use a public toilet say they have washed their hands but, in reality, one in five people don’t.

“Thirty percent of people don’t use soap and only 16 percent wash their hands long enough*.

“Washing your hands should be second nature and a lot of people think they’re doing it right, but in reality they’re not

“The most effective way is to wash for at least 30 seconds, which is the equivalent to humming the Happy Birthday song twice.

“If everyone washed their hands properly – and with soap – then we will all do our bit to help prevent the spread of disease.”

Global Handwashing Day is held every year to promote hand hygiene. It is recommended that people wash or sanitise hands before and after preparing and eating food and after coughing, sneezing or visiting the toilet.

The purpose of the global day is to create awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.

Every year 1.7 million children die before their fifth birthday from diarrhea or pneumonia, which can be prevented with proper hand hygiene.

* The Global Public Private Partnership for Handwashing, 2015

www.cannonhygiene.co.nz

 

 

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