Your Health is In Your Hands: WASH

The most important -- and easiest -- action we can take to prevent getting sick and spreading illness to others is to wash our hands. The Health Department reminds everyone that the most common germs that cause illness can be eliminated by effective hand washing. Gastro-intestinal illnesses, influenza, the common cold, salmonella, pink eye and many other diseases can be prevented by washing hands thoroughly. The Health Department's public education campaign: "Your Health is In Your Hands: WASH" promotes proper hand washing with educational materials; and hand washing education at health fairs and other community events. Call the Health Department for more information at 703-246-2411, TTY 703-591-6435.

When to Wash

• using the toilet
• coughing, sneezing or using a tissue
• eating, drinking or smoking
• touching cuts, burns or infected areas on the skin
• handling raw meat and poultry
• changing diapers
• touching animals
• touching public surfaces like door handles, gas pumps, shopping carts, etc.

Hands should always be washed BEFORE:

• touching eyes, nose and mouth
• inserting or removing contact lenses
• preparing food
• eating

How to Wash- A short Hand Washing guide.

Public Education Materials

Hand wash instruction sign (PDF) - English
Hand wash instruction sign (PDF) - Chinese
Hand wash instruction sign (PDF) - Korean
Hand wash instruction sign (PDF) - Spanish
Hand wash instruction sign (PDF) - Vietnamese

Brochure - "Wash Your Hands to Stop the Spread of Germs and Prevent Disease" (PDF) (english only)