21.7 Handwashing with little water

It is the cheapest and most effective measure in the whole chapter. The CDC says to wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. During a boil-water advisory, the CDC says that in many cases you can wash your hands with tap water, but if authorities or your doctor ask for more caution, use boiled or disinfected water.

When to wash (no exceptions)

• After using the toilet or changing a bag
• After touching trash, dog feces, or pads
• Before preparing food, eating, or feeding someone
• Before and after treating a wound or caring for a sick person After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing into your hand
• After cleaning up flood damage

Water-saving technique

1. Wet your hands with a small stream and turn it off.
2. Lather and scrub for 20 seconds: palms, backs, between the fingers, nails, and wrists. With no water running.
3. Rinse with a small stream, from top to bottom.
4. Dry in the air or with a paper towel; don't share a cloth towel.

Hand sanitizer

If there is no soap and water, use sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. It doesn't work well on visibly dirty or greasy hands, doesn't remove chemicals, and is not very effective against norovirus (the vomiting and diarrhea virus). Use it as a supplement, not a replacement, when there is diarrhea in the home.