Global Hand Washing Day

October 15 is Global Hand Washing Day; an annual global advocacy day aimed at educating people about the importance of washing their hands with soap. It was founded by the Global Public-Private Partnership for Handwashing in 2008.

According to the Center For Disease Control and Prevention's website "keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water."

In celebration of the day, we take a look at the importance of washing your hands with soap:

- It can save your life as it removes germs from your hands. Germs can be found anywhere; touching dirty hands, using the bathroom, contaminated surfaces. Because often people touch their eyes, nose, and mouth, sometimes without even being aware, the germs from the hands can find themselves being transferred into the body which results in sickness. So it is important to wash hands with soap to kill the germs and prevent them from entering the body.

- Washing your hands with soap can also save the lives of others. CDC.gov reports that "germs from unwashed hands can get into foods and drinks while people prepare or consume them. Germs can multiply in some types of foods or drinks, under certain conditions, and make people sick. Germs from unwashed hands can be transferred to other objects, like handrails, table tops, or toys, and then transferred to another person’s hands."

Remember it is also important to wash your hands correctly. This involves using the right amount of soap, rubbing your hand rapidly against all surfaces including the back, in between your fingers and wrist, then rinsing them with running water and ensuring that no traces of soap is left and then using a clean cloth to dry them.