Tag Archives: hand dryers

Still thankful

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I just wrote a thank you post last week enumerating among other things the blessings we received this year including good health. But a few days after I wrote my thank you note, I accompany my husband to the hospital after he complained of heaviness in the chest and uneasiness due to high blood pressure.

At the hospital, staff from the emergency room took his BP and ECG (electrocardiogram) test to determine if there is irregularity in his breathing or if he has a heart condition. It took only five minutes or less for the ECG to complete. It was fast. But waiting for the result took us almost an hour.

It was chilly in the ER and I couldn’t stand it. I dash to the nearest comfort room located on the same floor to relieve myself. After urinating I readily wash my hands with liquid soap and water. But they don’t have paper towels or hand dryers to dry off  hands. I wish they have one installed in every CR. It’s a good thing I have ample tissue paper with me.

When I returned hubby is still seated in the same place I left him. He was waiting for me to share the good news that his ECG test is okay. Hubby returned to the hospital the following day for a complete blood work up (that include CBC, RBC, cholesterol, etc.) and then ultrasound for his kidneys and gall bladder as per instruction of our doctor. Both tests showed normal results. Hubby is set to see our doctor for his next checkup this week.

Keep you hands clean

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Children are exposed to germs that cause a number of illnesses when they are in crowded areas like school where they’d be sharing or holding the same infected things and surfaces.

It’s also inevitable when a student would accidentally sneeze right after your kid. We can’t always shield our children from the possible sources of infection. But we can always do something about it. We can tell them to observe simple rules of cleanliness.

Like my kids, I let them bring a small container of alcohol or a hand sanitizer just in case there is no water in school to wash their hands before and after snack and lunch time. Aside from their hankies, I also put some tissue papers inside their bags.

But as much as possible I encourage them to wash their hands before and after they eat their lunch in school. Simple hand-washing can prevent potentially fatal infections from spreading from one infected person to another. Even when preparing food at home be sure that your hands are properly cleansed.

The proper steps to wash your hands:

  1. Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available.
  2. Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
  3. Continue rubbing hands for 15-20 seconds. Need a timer? Imagine singing “Happy Birthday” twice through to a friend.
  4. Rinse hands well under running water. (Remember the birthday song?)
  5. Dry your hands using a paper towel or hand dryers. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet.
  6. Always use soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.