Hand washing is considered the single most important means of preventing the spread of infection.  Ensuring that everyone knows the correct way to wash his or her hands will help control the spread of upper respiratory infections like colds, coughs, or flu, and intestinal infections, including those that cause diarrhea.

Proper hand washing is something we should have learned by the time we got through kindergarten.  It is a simple, but important technique for everyone to learn and use.  It is the most cost-effective way to decrease the spread of illness.  Although schools and childcare facilities are excellent places for learning and practicing hand washing, it is becoming a lost behavior.

The quantity and variety of germs that we carry on our hands everyday is astounding.  When we forget to wash our hands, or don't wash our hands correctly, we can spread these germs to other people.  Hand washing, when done correctly, can help us avoid spreading and receiving germs.  Remembering to wash your hands correctly and frequently as this is the first step toward staying healthy.

Schools may find it helpful to have a handwashing kit to help communicate the importance of handwashing.