Arbor Health | Arbor Health and Life | Winter 2021

ARBOR HEALTH FOUNDATION 521 Adams Ave Morton, WA 98356 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID WallaWalla,WA Permit No. 44 With the COVID-19 pandemic going on, you want to keep your hands as germ-free as possible. Washing your hands with soap and running water for 20 seconds is typically the best way to clean them. If you can’t get to soap and water, a hand sanitizer can be a good choice. Even so, you have to use the right product—in the right way—to get the Hand sanitizers: 5 do’s and don’ts most out of it. Here are some good-to- know tips: Do use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. It should contain at least 60% alcohol. Sanitizers without alcohol may only keep germs from multiplying instead of killing them. Also, be aware: Even an alcohol- based sanitizer doesn’t get rid of all types of germs. Washing with soap and water is better at removing: ● Norovirus, the leading cause of food poisoning. ● Some parasites. ● Clostridium difficile , which causes severe diarrhea. Don’t rush. Use enough sanitizer to cover all parts of your hands and fingers. Then rub your hands together until they feel dry— that should take about 20 seconds. Hand sanitizers may not be as effective if you rinse or wipe them off before your hands are dry. Do check for dirt. If your hands are dirty or greasy, hand sanitizers may not work well. Stick to handwash- ing, if possible. Don’t rely on hand sanitizers to remove harmful chemicals. If you’ve come in contact with them, wash your hands carefully with soap and water. Or call a poison control DO NOT SWALLOW: Hand sanitizers could be dangerous for young kids who swallow even a small amount of them. STOP THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS! Protect others, and stay home if you have symptoms like a fever, cough or shortness of breath. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention center for directions. Do be careful around kids. Keep hand sanitizers out of the reach of young children, who might mistake them for food or candy. In 2019 alone, U.S. poison control centers received more than 17,000 calls about hand sanitizer exposure in kids 12 and younger. A child who swallows even a small amount of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer could be at risk for alcohol poisoning. That can be deadly in severe cases. Sources: American Association of Poison Control Centers; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ARBOR HEALTH AND LIFE is brought to you by Arbor Health Foundation as a community service for the friends and patrons of ARBOR HEALTH, P.O. Box 1138, Morton, WA 98356, telephone 360-496-5112. Information in ARBOR HEALTH AND LIFE comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. 2020 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.