Spread the Word, NOT the Germs!

By Terence O’Reilly, Jr. and Sean O’Reilly, Sr.

What’s the most important thing you can do to ensure the well-being of your customers and staff?
HINT: It’s a wash.

Anyone in the food handling business probably knows the importance of handwashing, but this week, National Handwashing Week (December 1 to 7) is a reminder to be vigilant. It’s the season for flus and colds, and restaurants need to be fully staffed for the busy holiday season.

The experts at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta say that “handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick.”

DID YOU KNOW:

  • 80% of communicable diseases can be transferred by touch (person-to-person contact).
  • The ideal amount of time to wash your hands is 30 seconds, but 15 is recommended at the very least.
  • Most bacteria is under our fingernails, so when you’re washing, be sure to scrub underneath them.
  • Damp hands are 1,000 times more likely to spread bacteria than dry hands, yet only 20% of people dry their hands after they wash them. Reusable cloth towels have bacteria in the fibers, so using disposable paper towels is the cleanest way to dry your hands.
  • Studies show that people who wash their hands have 24% less sick days because of respiratory illness, and 51% fewer sick days due to a sick stomach.
  • Among the most important times to wash hands are before, during and after preparing food, and especially after handling raw meat or poultry, seafood and eggs.
  • It’s important to wash after wiping counters or cleaning other surfaces, and after touching garbage.

If you want to make sure you are providing optimum opportunities for correct hand hygiene, TERMAC can assess your rest rooms, kitchens and public spaces to recommend a program that includes dispensers, soaps, sanitizers and alcohol-free products.

But the important message is this: This week and all year, spread the word, not the germs!
Contact a TERMAC Representative today at 800-332-4912 or TERMAC.COM.

Termac Corporation is a family-owned business serving the hospitality industry for more than 56 years with its cleaning and sanitation products. To meet the needs of this evolving market, it established a system of service and developed The Filter Man, GTO Grease Trap Services, Universal Fire Protection and AllPro Stainless Steel and Metal Fabrication.


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