Cologne – Many infectious diseases such as gastrointestinal infections or colds are transmitted from one person to another via the hands. The simple and effective way to break this chain of infection is to wash your hands thoroughly. On World Hand Hygiene Day on May 5, 2023, the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) points out the importance of regular hand washing and gives tips on “when” and “how”.
Prof. Dr. Martin Dietrich, Acting Director of the BZgA: “Washing hands is an easy-to-implement, health-promoting behavior to protect against infections. Children in particular are often affected by infections due to their many contacts. Learning important hygiene routines early on helps protect families and those around them from infectious diseases. If washing hands is practiced early and implemented as a matter of course, this helps to protect health for a lifetime. The BZgA offers free materials on hygiene tips for everyday situations.”
Hand washing is recommended in the following situations:
- after coming in from outside
- after visiting the toilet
- before meals
- after blowing your nose
- before and after contact with sick people
- after contact with animals or waste and dirt
The hands should be washed thoroughly for at least 20 seconds – this significantly reduces the number of germs. Washing hands with soap is more effective than just water because detergents remove dirt and microbes from the skin. After washing, hands should be dried quickly, as microorganisms can survive and multiply in a moist environment. The friction when drying removes germs that are still clinging to the hands or in the water on the hands.
But how do you teach children important hygiene rules in everyday life? To this end, the BZgA, together with the Carlsen publishing house, has developed the Pixi book “Nico makes himself healthy” for children aged three to seven years. The Pixi book can be ordered free of charge in the BZgA shop at:
Larger quantities, e.g. for school classes, can be ordered by institutions with a corresponding e-mail address by sending an e-mail to [email protected].
The most important things about hand washing at a glance:
www.infektionsschutz.de/haendewaschen
Hygiene tips for everyday life at:
www.infektionsschutz.de/hygienetipps
Order the free BZgA materials at:
Federal Center for Health Education, 50819 Cologne
Online ordering system:
Fax: 0221/8992257
E-Mail: [email protected]
The Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) stands for health promotion and prevention in Germany. As a higher federal authority and departmental research institution, it communicates reliable knowledge on health issues, promotes healthy lifestyles and the health literacy of the population. To this end, the BZgA develops topic-specific strategies which it implements on a scientific basis in campaigns, programs and other measures. Further information is available at: www.bzga.de