There’s one simple health habit that only takes 20 seconds to perform, but it provides protection around the clock. The best part? It’ll make you the favorite coworker because no one likes the person who sneezes into their hands and spreads germs all over the office—especially during cold and flu season.
This life-saving habit is washing your hands. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), handwashing:
- Reduces the chances of life-threatening diarrhea by up to 50 percent.
- Could prevent a million deaths a year worldwide if everyone washed their hands enough.
- Could prevent food poisoning in the majority of cases.
- Can reduce your risk of catching a cold or flu by 16 percent.
Germs have taken over your office
So, just how germ-filled is your office? Well, aside from the few stubborn coworkers who show up to work no matter how sick or contagious they may be, there are other threats…
A study from commercial products company Kimberly-Clark Professional discovered the water cooler, microwave door handle, and refrigerator handle are among the dirtiest places in a typical office. Now think about how many times you touch those spots throughout the day.
In this specific study, the researchers used an ATP meter to analyze the swabs, a device that measures levels of adenosine triphosphate to assess sanitary conditions. High levels of ATP indicate that a surface is teeming with bacteria and viruses. Any ATP reading over 100 suggests a surface needs cleaning, while readings of 300 or higher are considered officially dirty and at high risk for spreading illness.
Office surfaces with the highest ATP levels—readings of 300 or more—weren’t in the restroom but in areas where employees prepare and eat food.
- 75 percent of break room sink-faucet handles
- 48 percent of microwave door handles
- 27 percent of keyboards
- 26 percent of refrigerator door handles
- 23 percent of water fountain buttons
- 21 percent of vending machine buttons
It’s worth noting that desk phones, coffee pots, and dispensers are also germ hotspots. The best thing you can do to protect yourself? Wash your hands frequently.
Wash your hands, save your health
In addition to washing your hands at the office, the Mayo Clinic advises washing your hands after:
- Preparing food, especially raw meat or poultry
- Using the toilet or changing a diaper
- Touching an animal or animal toys, leashes, or waste
- Blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing into your hands
- Treating wounds or caring for a sick or injured person
- Handling garbage, household chemicals, or anything potentially contaminated, such as a soiled cleaning cloth or dirty shoes
- Shaking hands with others
The Mayo Clinic also states that antibacterial soap is no more effective at killing germs than regular soap. In fact, using antibacterial soap may even lead to bacteria developing resistance to the product’s antimicrobial agents, making it more difficult to kill the germs in the future.
Killing germs through handwashing is easy:
- Wet your hands with running water — warm or cold.
- Apply liquid, bar, or powder soap.
- Lather well.
- Rub your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Make sure to scrub all surfaces, including the backs of your hands, wrists, between your fingers, and under your fingernails.
- Rinse well.
- Dry your hands with a clean or disposable towel or air dryer.
- If possible, use a towel or your elbow to turn off the faucet.
Never underestimate the power of clean hands. The future of your health—and the health of those around you—is, quite literally, in your hands.
