Food safety starts with good handwashing
- MCHD wants to remind residents about
the importance of handwashing. - If you don’t use proper handwashing
practices, you’re opening the door to multiple illnesses including influenza,
foodborne illness caused by E. coli or other bacteria, Hepatitis A,
hand-foot-mouth disease, shigellosis, giardiasis, respiratory diseases,
norovirus, the list goes on. - Wash your hands:
- Before, during and after preparing
food. - Before eating food.
- Before and after treating a cut or
wound. - After using the toilet.
- After changing diapers or cleaning up
a child who has used the toilet. - After blowing your nose, coughing or
sneezing. - After touching an animal, animal feed
or animal waste. - After handling pet food or pet treats.
- After touching garbage.
- If you’re going to wash them, do it
right! - Wet
your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap and apply
soap. - Lather
your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the
backs of your hands, between your fingers and under your nails. - Scrub
your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song
from beginning to end twice. - Rinse
your hands well under clean, running water. - Dry
your hands using a clean towel or air dry them. - Be sure to wash fruits and vegetables,
use different plates, cutting boards and utensils when handling raw and cooked
items and cook foods to the proper temperatures, as well to avoid getting sick.