I’m sure most of you have had your fair share of public washroom faux-pas… and yes, I actually saw a chicken bone in the overflowing waste bin of my workplace washroom the other day (makes you think, doesn’t it).
You should really be observant of how many people actually do take their hygeine into consideration when using public washroom. I’ve counted many times when I’ll be at a stall, hear the toilet flush in the stall next to me, and then footsteps quickly echoing to the exit–no, I didn’t hear the water faucet run. Ewww… how can anyone use the washroom and not wash their hands?! It makes me wonder how often men do it.
According to a study sponsored by the American Society for Microbiology and The Soap and Detergent Association, 88 per cent of women washed their hands in public restrooms, compared to just 66 per cent of the guys. Can you believe that? 1 out of every 3 men you shake hands with don’t wash their hands after using the washroom! That is exactly one of the reasons I always keep some instant hand sanitizer at my desk.
The study also outed some liars: 92% of people say they wash their hands in public restrooms, but only 77% were actually observed doing so. That’s just nasty. Here’s a list of hand-washing directions from the SDA so that 23% of you can get up to par:
Cleaning your hands when soap and running water are available:
- Wet hands with warm, running water – prior to reaching for soap (bar or liquid form). This applies to most products; however, some foaming hand washes should be applied to dry hands.
- Move hands away from the water, and make a lather by rubbing hands together.
- Be sure to wash the front and back of hands, between fingers, round and under nails for 15 seconds or more.
- Rinse hands well under warm, running water.
- Dry hands thoroughly with a clean paper or cloth towel or air dryer.
And here are some critical times that you should be washing your hands:
- Before and after meals and snacks
- Before caring for young children
- After touching a public surface
- Before and after preparing food
- After using the restroom
- When hands are dirty especially raw meat, poultry, or seafood
- After touching animals
- When you or someone around you is ill
Lather up, people!
