Recent health scares in the metro have made people aware that washing hands is vital in preventing the spread of virus and diseases. But what is often overlooked is how important hand drying is in the two-step process of hand hygiene.
An American study published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology showed that although hand-washing regimen lessens the bacteria on the skin, the bacteria do not completely leave the skin’s surface and continue to spread with wet hands. The study furthered that the degree of wetness greatly affects bacterial dissemination. That is why the best way to have germ-free hands is to dry them off completely with paper towels.
The World Health Organization (WHO) further explains the importance of hand drying. According to WHO, although using soap and water in washing protect us from infectious illnesses, we should not forget to finish the regimen by drying the hands with paper towel. The drying part plays an important role because it completely stops the spreading of bacteria once the water is absorbed by the paper towel.
For the summer season, Sanicare (Sanitary Care Products Asia), local premium brand of hygienic tissue products, partners with Shell to launch the “Drive and Dry Safely” campaign. The project aims to remind travellers this adventure season on the necessity of hand drying for their hand hygiene. The campaign will be throughout the Holy Week, kickstarting on April 15.
During the “Drive and Dry Safely” campaign, Sanicare will assist travelers in their hand drying by providing hand towels in select Shell gas stations. Posters, banners, and standees will also be placed in strategic locations of various Shell gasoline stations along North Luzon and South Luzon Expressways (NLEX and SLEX) to remind travellers on the importance of hand hygiene, which includes hand-drying with paper towels.
Tips on proper hand hygiene:
● Wash your hands with soap and running water.
● Rub hands vigorously for about 20 seconds. Don’t forget the backs of your hands, wrists, between the fingers, and under the nails.
● Rinse hands with running water.
● Wipe wet hands with a paper towel before turning the water off. Use the same paper towel to cover your hand as you turn the faucet off to avoid recontamination.
● Tip on the paper towel: make sure you use a hygienic and absorbent paper towel like Sanicare Paper Towels. These are made from 100 percent virgin pulp that makes every piece more absorbent and hygienic.
● Remember to wash and dry hands thoroughly after coughing or sneezing, before and after eating and food preparation, using the toilet, and engaging in activities that contaminate the hands.
● Clean dirty hands whenever outdoors. When you don’t have immediate access to water and soap, use hand sanitizers that contains 60 to 90 percent ethyl alcohol or isopropanol.