Why Hand-washing Stations Are So Hygienically Important
We are, all, very aware the how bacteria, viruses, and super-bugs can wreak havoc with our health. Our bodies can succumb to the miserable feelings of having a common cold to the flu to strep-throat and a host of other maladies.
Though it is impossible to ward off illnesses 100% of the time, there are things we can do to minimize microbes from successfully invading our immune systems – enter hand-washing stations from Westway Site Services, formerly Moore Cans! At Westway Site Services, formerly Moore Cans, we know the critical importance of hand-washing, especially, at outdoor events where multitudes of people congregate. Hand-washing is, certainly, the single, most important step any of us can take to avoid getting sick. The CDC shares a shocking piece of information: A single gram of human feces – about the weight of a paper clip – can harbor up to onetrillion germs – Yes, 'trillion', with a 'T'!
Masses of people gathered at outdoor events such as large block parties, ethnic food festivals, farmers' markets, BBQ cook-out contests, craw-fish festivals, and more are all about having a wonderful time with family and friends. The downside is being exposed to countless trillions of germs that are just waiting for hand contact on carnival rides, door handles, handrails, tabletops, etc. Fortunately, hand-washing stations combat the potential for the spread of diseases, of all types.
What the Experts Say
The American Medical Association reveals a stunning piece of history: One of the most important medical discoveries was revealed in 1847 when Dr. Ignaz Semmelweiss, an Austrian physician, discovered that fatal infections were spread among patients by doctors who failed to wash their hands between examinations! When a disinfecting procedure, finally, became utilized among doctors who diligently washed their hands with soap and water between patient visits, hospital mortality rates from infectious diseases, noticeably, declined.
Yep, soap and water – pretty darn simple. Interestingly, soap and water hand-washing stations do a better job of killing germs than alcohol-based hand sanitizers. First, gel sanitizers won't do a good job of removing dirt or grime – soap and water will. Second, soap and water are proven to be more effective than hand sanitizers with killing germs. Proper hand-washing IS the 'gold standard' for staying healthy, says Kelly Reynolds, author of a best-selling book – Germ Files – and associate professor of environmental health at the University of Arizona. Ms. Reynolds is no-nonsense about spreading the word that washing with soap and water is THE best hygiene method.
Keep Those Hand-washing Stations Available!
Infectious germs can get onto one's hands after using the restroom, changing a baby's diaper, using a computer keyboard, handling money, or touching uncooked meats and not thoroughly washing hands, as one should. At large events, hand-washing stations add an extra shield of protection from illness-causing germs and viruses. The CDC makes it very clear that hand-washing, on its own, is the most powerful preventative measure against diseases. A few CDC statistics are quite astonishing and worth noting. In the US:
*** Hand-washing, alone, reduces diarrhea-related illnesses, by 31%
*** Hand-washing, alone, reduces diarrhea-related illness in people with weakened immune systems, by 58%
*** Hand-washing, alone, reduces respiratory illnesses, such as colds, by up to 21%
*** Hand-washing, alone, can remove most germs – 80% of communicable diseases are transmitted by touch
Soap & Water Hand-washing – The Rabbit Hole Runs Deep
When you wash your hands with soap and water, you are taking the simplest measure to remove disease-causing germs. This, in turn, can reduce the number of antibiotics people are prescribed. This, then, can reduce the likelihood that antibiotic resistance would be able to reach its potential. Antibiotics are, often, prescribed unnecessarily, and the overuse of antibiotics has led to antibiotic resistance in every part of the globe. Antibiotic-resistant germs can be very difficult to treat.
According to the American Society for Microbiology, infectious diseases remain the leading cause of death and sickness worldwide, and the 3rd-leading cause of death in the US. Hand-washing is the first line of defense.
For your next event, you can do your part for a healthier community by utilizing hand-washing stations – incredibly simple and incredibly effective!
Give Westway Site Services, formerlyMoore Cans a Call!
Westway Site Services, formerly Moore Cans offers hand-washing stations that are self-contained, fully stocked, and ready when you are! We offer 2-station and 4-station configurations. Give us a call and we will, gladly, answer any questions you have.
You can reach us at our Dallas office at 214-351-0909
Doing our part to keep our communities healthier isn't just our job, it's our passion!