¹     You've been told to wash your hands before you eat. You know you must wash your hands after going to the bathroom. You should wash your hands many times during the day. They may not look dirty, but they have germs on them. Long ago, people believed that evil spirits caused sickness. Today we know that many illnesses are caused by germs. Germs are also called bacteria and viruses. They are too small for you to see. They are found everywhere. They are on your hands all the time. Do you know the right way to wash your hands?
 
²     1. Wet your hands and turn the water off. Rub your hands with soap. Always use soap. Soap may not kill all the germs, but it does wash away the oils on your skin. As the oil is washed away, the germs go down the drain with it!
 
³     2. You should wash for 15 - 20 seconds. You can sing the ABC song. By the time you get to the last note, your hands will be clean! Rub your hands together. Rubbing loosens the germs so the water can wash them away. Rub the palms together. Use one hand to rub the back of the other hand. Then switch. Rub between your fingers. Rub under and around your fingernails.

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