10 Germiest Things We Touch Each Day!

When you were growing up, your parents would constantly tell you to wash your hands. Grown ups are obsessed with the cleanliness of their kid’s hands.. so why then, did they eventually forget to wash theirs?

A recent survey show that only about two-thirds of the men observed washed their hands after using the restroom in one study in the US — the lowest rate for any of the locations cited in the observational study and survey on the hand-washing habits of Americans. The study, conducted every few years, was released by the American Society for Microbiology  and the American Cleaning Institute at a microbiology conference in Boston. Women on the other hand, were a bit more responsible hand-washers than men. However, in general, these statistics are still pretty shameful.

Yes, we forget that some of the germiest surfaces we touch each day, are inevitable places we will rest our hands.

photo credit – brokenbelievers.com

And so, the 10 Germiest Things We Touch Each Day include:

1. The Escalator Rails  81%

2. Toilet cubicle door handle 79% 

3. Gas Pump Handles 65%

4. Gym equipment 63%

5. LRT Railings 60%

6. The Photocopy Machine buttons 58%

7. Vending Machines 55%

8. ATM buttons 53%

9. Parking Meters 50%

10. The Office PC buttons 47%

As you touch people, surfaces and objects throughout the day, you accumulate germs on your hands. In turn, you can infect yourself with these germs by touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Although it’s impossible to keep your hands germ-free, washing your hands frequently can help limit the transfer of bacteria, viruses and other microbes.

How to wash your hands

It’s generally best to wash your hands with soap and water. Follow these simple steps:

Wet your hands with running water.
Apply liquid, bar or powder soap.
Lather well.
Rub your hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Remember 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.

Do you diligently wash your hands after being coming into contact with public places and surfaces? What in your opinion causes people to be slack with hand washing? How can we prevent this bad habit from taking root in our society?