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It's World Hand Hygiene Day! Make sure to wash your hands regularly and always promote good hygiene habits for a healthier tomorrow.
Mark your calendars for World Hand Hygiene Day on May 5, a day to celebrate the importance of proper hand hygiene and its power to prevent the spread of germs and illnesses. This day was established by the World Health Organization in 2009 as part of an effort to raise global awareness about the importance of hand hygiene in preventing disease. Whether you’re washing your hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based sanitizer, it’s important to take time each day to practice proper hand hygiene habits. Let's all join together on May 5th and do our part in keeping ourselves, our families, and our communities safe from germs!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1847</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Semmelweis's Hand Hygiene Revolution</div><div class='timeline-text'>Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis discovers the medical benefits of hand hygiene, reducing infections in hospitals by enforcing handwashing.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1980s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Hand Sanitizer Innovation</div><div class='timeline-text'>First commercial alcohol-based hand sanitizers appear on the market, offering an easy and effective method for hand hygiene, especially when soap and water are not available.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2005</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene</div><div class='timeline-text'>World Health Organization issues a formal guideline on hand hygiene in healthcare settings, highlighting its importance in preventing healthcare-associated infections.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2009</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First World Hand Hygiene Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>World Hand Hygiene Day is inaugurated by the World Health Organization to promote good hand hygiene practices worldwide.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2020</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Hand Hygiene in the COVID-19 Pandemic</div><div class='timeline-text'>Hand hygiene becomes even more vital globally due to the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent the spread of the virus.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a hand-washing competition</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Host a friendly competition between family and friends to see who can wash their hands the fastest and most thoroughly. Make sure to provide lots of handwashing supplies and have a timer ready to go. The winner can receive a prize.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Hold an informative session</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Organize an interactive session on handwashing for your family, friends, or colleagues. Invite guest speakers to discuss the importance of hand hygiene and how to properly wash your hands. Make sure to provide plenty of educational materials.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a fun handwashing song</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Write a catchy tune that emphasizes the importance of handwashing. Have everyone join in on the singing and make sure to include choreography moves that mimic proper handwashing techniques such as lathering and rinsing.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Design handwashing posters</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Create eye-catching posters that show the importance of proper hand hygiene. Hang them up around your house, school, or workplace as reminders to always wash your hands before eating or touching your face.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Make DIY hand sanitizer</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Create your own homemade sanitizer using rubbing alcohol, aloe vera gel, vitamin E oil, and essential oils for scent. Put the mixture into travel size bottles so you can carry it with you wherever you go.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Hand hygiene helps reduce the spread of germs and illnesses</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>When we practice good hand hygiene, we help reduce the spread of germs and bacteria that can cause illness. Frequent washing with soap and water, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, helps kill viruses and bacteria that can lead to colds, flu and other serious illnesses.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's an easy way to prevent disease</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Hand hygiene is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to prevent catching or transmitting infectious diseases. It only takes a few seconds to clean your hands properly, but it can save you from becoming ill or infecting others.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It helps promote good health habits in children</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Teaching children good hand hygiene practices early on is important for their long term health. With activities like World Hand Hygiene Day, kids become more aware of the importance of hand hygiene as part of a healthy lifestyle. This helps them create healthy habits for life!</p></div></div>
World Hand Hygiene Day is celebrated on May 5 every year. In 2024, World Hand Hygiene Day will fall on a Sunday.
2023
May 5
Friday
2024
May 5
Sunday
2025
May 5
Monday
2026
May 5
Tuesday
2027
May 5
Wednesday
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