At a glance
Each year on October 15, CDC works with global partners and colleagues to highlight Global Handwashing Day and raise awareness about the importance of handwashing with soap and water.
Why it's important
Handwashing with soap and water is one of the simplest, most effective ways to stop the spread of germs and stay healthy. Keeping hands clean can help prevent diarrheal illnesses and respiratory infections, such as the common cold or flu.
Handwashing in communities
Many germs that can make people sick are spread when we don't wash our hands with soap and clean, running water. That is why handwashing is so important, especially at key times such as after using the bathroom, when preparing food, before eating, and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.
Handwashing with soap and water is simple and inexpensive, and it can significantly reduce the number of young children who get sick. Teaching people about handwashing helps them and their communities stay healthy. Studies show that handwashing education in the community can:
- Reduce the number of people who get sick with diarrhea by about 23%–40%
- Reduce the number of school days children missed because of gastrointestinal illness by 29%–57%
- Reduce diarrheal illness in people with weakened immune systems by about 58%
- Reduce respiratory illnesses, like colds, in the general population by about 16%–21%
Event materials
People and communities around the world celebrate Global Handwashing Day in many ways. CDC has developed resources and materials to help you promote handwashing in your community by:
- Downloading resources from CDC's national handwashing campaign, Life is Better with Clean Hands
- Printing and sharing stickers to remind people how to wash their hands the right way
- Sharing videos that provide important information about handwashing
Facebook/Twitter
Poster
Share messages on social media!
Images for Facebook/Twitter
Images for Instagram
Social media posts
Promote Global Handwashing Day
- Post 1: #GlobalHandwashingDay is October 15! Handwashing with soap and water can help protect you, your household, and your community from getting sick from germs. https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/
- Post 2: Germs are everywhere—especially on our hands and the things we touch. This #GlobalHandwashingDay, make handwashing with soap your habit to stay healthy! https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/
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How & When to Wash Your Hands
- Post 1: Handwashing with soap and water is one of the best ways to get rid of germs and protect yourself and those around you from getting sick. Remember the five steps! Wet – Lather – Scrub (for at least 20 seconds) – Rinse – Dry. https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/
- Post 2: It’s #GlobalHandwashingDay! Remind your loved ones that washing hands with soap and water is important, especially:
- before, during, and after preparing food
- before and after eating food
- after using the toilet
- after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- before, during, and after preparing food
Learn more about when to wash your hands: https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/
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Why You Should Wash Your Hands
- Post 1: On #GlobalHandwashingDay, encourage people to make handwashing with soap and water a healthy habit. Remind them that washing hands at key times during the day helps keep everyone safe from illnesses. https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/data-research/facts-stats/
- Post 2: Did you know #handwashing can help prevent diarrheal and respiratory diseases? Check out the science behind why it’s important to wash your hands at key times like before eating and after using the bathroom. https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/data-research/facts-stats/ #GlobalHandwashingDay
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Teach Kids About Handwashing
- Post 1: This #GlobalHandwashingDay, teach kids the five steps to handwashing—wet, lather, scrub, rinse, and dry—and the best times to wash hands, like after using the bathroom and before eating. https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/data-research/facts-stats/
- Post 2: It’s #GlobalHandwashingDay! Remind kids that handwashing is their germ-fighting superpower. https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/
- Post 3: Handwashing is the best way kids can prevent spreading germs to their friends and family. Lead by example to help the little ones make handwashing with soap a lifelong healthy habit. #GlobalHandwashingDay https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/
Create your own newsletter and tailor it for your network.
Sample newsletter announcements
General audiences
Each year on October 15, Global Handwashing Day highlights the importance of handwashing with soap and water, especially during key times throughout the day. CDC has developed resources to promote handwashing in your community on Global Handwashing Day and throughout the year!
Washing your hands is easy—and it's one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Studies have shown that handwashing can prevent 1 in 3 diarrhea-related sicknesses and 1 in 5 respiratory infections, such as a cold or the flu.
Follow these five steps every time.
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
For more information on how clean hands save lives, visit https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/index.html.
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School administrators and educators
Promote Handwashing in Schools
Global Handwashing Day, celebrated each year on October 15, highlights the importance of handwashing with soap and water, especially during key times throughout the day. Studies have shown that handwashing in schools can lead to fewer diarrhea-related sicknesses and respiratory infections, which can result in fewer missed school days.
To help keep yourself, students, and staff healthy, you can use CDC's communication resources and promote handwashing on Global Handwashing Day and throughout the year!
Remind students to make handwashing a healthy habit at home, at school, and at play by:
- Teaching kids the five easy steps for handwashing—wet, lather, scrub (for 20 seconds), rinse, and dry—and the key times to wash hands, such as after using the bathroom or before eating.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Caution! Supervise young children under the age of six when they use hand sanitizer to prevent swallowing alcohol or contact with eyes.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Giving frequent reminders so that handwashing becomes a habit and a regular part of your students' days.
- Leading by example by washing your hands.
For more information on how clean hands save lives, visit https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/index.html.
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Parents and caregivers
Teach Your Children About Handwashing. Lead by Example!
Each year on October 15, Global Handwashing Day reminds us about the importance of handwashing with soap and water, especially during key times throughout the day. CDC encourages parents and caregivers to make clean hands a healthy habit to keep themselves and their families safe.
Washing your hands is easy, and it's one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Studies have shown that handwashing can prevent 1 in 3 diarrhea-related sicknesses and 1 in 5 respiratory infections, such as a cold or the flu. When your family is healthy, you don't have to worry about missing school, work, or other activities.
Help your children make handwashing a healthy habit at home, school, and play.
- Teach kids the five easy steps for handwashing—wet, lather, scrub (for 20 seconds), rinse, and dry—and the key times to wash hands, such as after using the bathroom or before eating.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Caution! Supervise young children under the age of six when they use hand sanitizer to prevent swallowing alcohol or contact with their eyes.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Give frequent reminders so that handwashing becomes a habit and a regular part of your child's day.
- Lead by example.
For more information on how clean hands save lives, visit https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/index.html.
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People preparing food
Clean Hands Help Keep Everyone Healthy!
Each year on October 15, CDC observes Global Handwashing Day to remind people about the importance of hand hygiene to health. Handwashing is one of the most important things you can do to prevent food poisoning. Follow these handwashing tips when preparing food:
- Wash hands before, during, and after preparing food. Handwashing at key times when germs can spread is one of the best ways to keep everyone healthy. Be sure to wash before preparing any food and after touching raw meat, chicken and other poultry, seafood, and eggs.
- Wash hands before and after using gloves. Gloves can get contaminated with germs from your hands. Be sure to wash your hands before and after using gloves to prevent the spread of germs.
- Wash your hands the right way. Follow the steps. Wet your hands with water before applying soap. Scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails for at least 20 seconds before, during, and after handling any food.
Get more information from CDC on how to prevent food poisoning: https://www.cdc.gov/food-safety/prevention/index.html.
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Office employees
Keeping Hands Clean at Work
Global Handwashing Day, celebrated each year on October 15, highlights the importance of handwashing with soap and water, especially during key times throughout the day. Handwashing is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness to others. Germs can spread easily in offices where employees share the same space, supplies, and equipment. CDC recommends washing hands often, especially during key times when you are likely to get and spread germs.
In workplaces, these key times are:
- Before eating lunch or preparing food
- After using the bathroom
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol. For more information, visit CDC's page on hand hygiene at work: https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/prevention/about-hand-hygiene-at-work.html.