Poor personal hygiene is a contributing factor in approximately one quarter of all foodborne illnesses. And improper hand washing probably accounts for the majority of the problems. Your hands can be transfer agents for viruses and bacteria, but proper hand washing will prevent the transfer of disease causing organisms.
According to a recent survey, 80% of Americans understand that washing hands is important to prevent the spread of germs and over 90% report washing their hands after going to the bathroom. But nearly 50% could do a better job of washing their hands.
Another survey reveals that only 11% of female and 6% of male respondents regularly wash their hands after using a public restroom.
Simply rinsing your hands in water is not very effective. Follow these recommended hand washing procedures to reduce bacteria:
- Wet hands with warm water.
- Using soap, rub your hands together to make a good lather. Wash the front and back of your hands, under your fingernails, between your fingers and thumbs. It takes approximately 10 - 15 seconds to get a good wash.
- Rinse your hands in warm running water.
- Dry your hands with a clean towel.
Washing your hands should take at least 20 seconds to be effective.
Antibacterial soaps have properties that kill bacteria. Using antibacterial soaps will enhance the effectiveness of hand washing, but will not be effective if the hand wash procedure is not followed.
You should wash your hands:
- After going to the bathroom.
- Before handling food.
- After handling raw meat, fish or poultry and before you touch other foods.
- After sneezing or coughing.
- After taking out the trash.
Sometimes running water is not available in remote places where we camp or have picnics. Bringing a gallon jug of water for hand washing, moist towelettes, paper towels and soap is a good idea. Even if you cannot do a thorough hand wash in a field environment, a simple or modified hand wash will provide some protection and is preferable to no handwashing at all. 
