Keeping hands clean is one of the best ways to prevent illness. Next week, Dec. 6 -12, is National Handwashing Awareness Week, and it’s a great time to teach children (and remind adults) about basic handwashing principles:
- Wash your hands when they are dirty and BEFORE eating.
- DO NOT cough into your hands.
- DO NOT sneeze into your hands.
- Above all, DO NOT put your fingers into your eyes, nose or mouth.
“Washing our hands with soap and water is one of the important most important things we can do to help prevent diseases such as respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses,” according to Cristine Macomber, MD. “Appropriate hand washing can limit the spread of diseases in our family and in our communities.”
Check out these fun and kid-friendly dowloadable information sheets!

