Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Helping Hands

Think how important hands are in our society. We extend our hands in greetings. We reach out to touch things that attract us in stores. We say things like "I can hardly wait to get my hands in it", when we're eager to do something.

Hands are the most exposed part of the body - to germs. Grasping handles of shopping carts, doors, even steering wheels can be risky business. Touching the eyes, mouth, nose or food transfers the germs into our bodies - or from our bodies to others'. Frequent hand washing curbs disease. According the Minnesota Department of Health:

• A recent study of 305 students who washed four times a day showed 24% fewer colds and 51% less stomach upsets.
• Minnesota daycare-teachers helped children wash their hands every morning when they arrived and then disinfected all areas that parents may have touched. Result: 50% fewer illnesses at daycare.

How about your hand washing routines? Regular washing with plain soap and water will eliminate most bacteria --- if your hands are soaped for a full 20 seconds. That's about the time it takes to sing the ABC song with a child.

Give us all a helping hand -keep your hands clean and fresh.