Preventing Winter Illness

It's one of the simplest things to do but one of the most important. This simple act may substantially reduce your chances of contracting a virus this winter. Many illness-causing viruses can live on skin and other surfaces for hours and sometimes even longer. Washing your hands well with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is an important step you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to those around you. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based product. Alcohol-based hand rubs act quickly and significantly reduce the number of germs on skin.

• Before preparing or eating food
• After going to the bathroom
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom
• Before and after tending to someone who is sick
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After handling an animal or animal waste
• After handling garbage
• Before and after treating a cut or wound