It’s simple to wash your hands the right way, and it usually takes no more than a minute. But did you know that simple scrub can help reduce the spread of bacteria?

Hand washing is one of the best ways to remove bacteria and help avoid getting sick. So, hand washing is important to remember and an important habit to teach your kids.

• Before, during, and after preparing food

• Before and after eating food

• Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea

• 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

Mention of the CDC is not meant to serve as an official endorsement of any particular product or company by the CDC or the United States Government.

When soap and clean, running water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based -invalid data- that contains at least 60% alcohol. Hand sanitizer quickly reduces the number of microbes on hands in some situations but does not eliminate all types of germs.