HANDWASHING: A FAMILY ACTIVITY

Handwashing is an easy, inexpensive, and effective way to prevent 
the spread of germs and keep people healthy. 

For kids, washing hands can be a fun and entertaining activity. 
It is simple enough for even very young children to understand. 
Handwashing gives children and adults a chance to take an active role in 
their own health. Once kids learn how to properly wash their hands, they 
can—and often do—show their parents and siblings and encourage 
them to wash hands, too. 

Parents can help keep their families healthy by:
• Teaching them good handwashing technique
• Reminding their kids to wash their hands
• Washing their own hands with their kids 

Improving Health 

• Handwashing education in the community: 
» Reduces the number of people who get sick with diarrhea by 31% 
» Reduces diarrheal illness in people with weakened immune 
systems by 58%
» Reduces respiratory illnesses, like colds, in the general population 
by 21% 

Saving Time and Money 

• Handwashing is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and 
spreading illness to others. 
• Reducing illness increases productivity due to: 
» Less time spent at the doctor’s office 
» More time spent at work or school 

Helping Families Thrive 

Children who have been taught handwashing at school bring that 
knowledge home to parents and siblings. This can help family members 
get sick less often and miss less work and school. 

Despite widespread knowledge of the importance of handwashing, there 
is still room for improvement. A recent study showed that only 31% of men 
and 65% of women washed their hands after using a public restroom.