Proper hand-washing is your first line of defense against contagious germs, and a surprising amount of people aren't washing correctly – or even worse – aren't washing at all.
Five Surprising Facts About Germs and Your Hands:
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Fifteen percent of men don't wash their hands at all, compared with seven percent of women.
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Eighty percent of contagious diseases are transferred by touch.
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A single sneeze produces more than 40,000 droplets of moisture and millions of germs that get propelled over a distance of 32 feet, often coating your hands and clothes.
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Damp hands are 1,000 times more likely to spread bacteria than dry hands.
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In the habit of washing your hands after touching your remote or phone? Studies have shown that TV remotes and phones are major carriers of bacteria - so you may want to start.
There Is a Right Way to Wash Your Hands. This Is It:
Sources:
- Michigan State University Hand-Washing Study
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Live Science: Why Your Cellphone Has More Bacteria than a Toilet Seat
- Live Science: Germs Really Are Everywhere (Infographic)
