FORT WALTON BEACH — The Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County celebrates Oct. 15 as Global Handwashing Day, which is dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap.
Click here for a tutorial on handwashing.
The United Nations Children's Fund estimates that every year, 1.7 million children do not live to celebrate their fifth birthday because of diarrhea and pneumonia, and handwashing with soap is among the most effective and inexpensive ways to prevent them.
“This global initiative is not just for third-world countries,” stated Dr. Karen A. Chapman, DOH-Okaloosa director.
“Remembering that maintaining good personal hygiene is important in protecting yourself and your family from a variety of infectious diseases such as the flu.”
Five facts about handwashing:
●Handwashing with soap, when practiced properly and regularly, prevents infections and saves live.
●Handwashing is a very cost-effective disease prevention solution.
●Everyone can prevent disease and improve health with handwashing.
●Water alone is not enough.
●Critical moments for handwashing are after using the toilet, cleaning a child and before handling food.
For more information about Global Handwashing Day, visit www.globalhandwashing.org.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 5 facts about handwashing for Oct. 15, Global Handwashing Day (TUTORIAL)