December 7-13
National Handwashing Awareness Week
Join National Handwashing Awareness Week, because good hygiene starts with clean hands! Start scrubbing to stay healthy.
Introduction
Get ready to lather up and join in on National Handwashing Awareness Week, beginning on December 5! Begun in 1999 by a professor of infectious diseases, Dr. Will Sawyer and the Henry the Hand Foundation, this significant week focuses on promoting better hygiene practices to prevent illness and disease. This fun and critical celebration reminds us that something as simple as regular handwashing can be incredibly effective in protecting our health. So, let's look forward to making a splash and raising awareness about the power of cleaner hands during this pivotal week!
National Handwashing Awareness Week Timeline
How to Celebrate National Handwashing Awareness Week
1
Sing the handwashing song
Establish a tradition with your family of singing the "Happy Birthday" song twice, which should be equivalent to the recommended 20 seconds, every time you wash your hands. Not only will it be fun, but it will help to encourage proper handwashing techniques.
2
Create fun soap crafts
Show kids how fun handwashing can be by making creative soap crafts. Melt and pour soap is easy to use and can be molded into fun shapes or even contain small toys. The more exciting the soap is, the more likely kids will want to use it!
3
Host a handwashing competition
Organize a competition within your family or friends circle where everyone has to show their handwashing technique. Winner could be judged based on thoroughness, time duration for more fun.
4
Educational outreach
Utilize this week to educate others on the importance of handwashing. You could create informational flyers or social media posts, or even host an informational session at your local community center, school, or workplace.
5
Decorate your handwashing stations
Whether it's in your home or a shared space, decorate the area around sinks to draw attention to them. This will act as a friendly reminder for people to wash their hands and keep the hygiene momentum going during the National Handwashing Awareness Week and beyond.
Why We Love National Handwashing Awareness Week
It promotes health and wellness
National Handwashing Awareness Week is a great initiative that promotes good health and well-being. By keeping our hands clean, we can prevent the spread of diseases and keep ourselves and our communities healthy. The celebration serves as a timely reminder and reinforcement of this essential habit.
It's fun and educational
Of course, another reason we love National Handwashing Awareness Week is because it’s both fun and educational! With activities like singing the handwashing song or making soap crafts, it's an enjoyable way to instill good habits in children. Not only this, but it also serves as a platform for parents and educators to teach kids about germs and the importance of hygiene in an engaging and interactive way.
Encourages community involvement
The essence of National Handwashing Awareness Week is its focus on community education and outreach. Hosting handwashing competitions, decorating shared spaces or creating informational sessions provide a chance to get involved and work towards a common goal - promoting public health. It instills a sense of community spirit and gives us an opportunity to give back to our community in a meaningful way.
