The Marion County Health Department is offering tips to help fight the cold season.

Cough and Sneeze Etiquette

• Never cough or sneeze into your bare hand. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue to avoid spreading germs and then throw the tissue into the trash.
• Don’t have a tissue handy? Cough or sneeze into the bend of your arm. It may feel strange at first, but soon it will come naturally.
• Wash your hands as soon as possible after coughing or sneezing. Use alcohol-based hand gel, if soap and water are not available.

Hand Washing Etiquette

• Always wash your hands:
  • after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing;
  • after touching your eyes, nose, or mouth;
  • after using the bathroom;
  • after being near someone who is ill;
  • after touching things handled by many people;
  • before and after eating or drinking; and
  • after handling garbage.
• Wash your hands thoroughly:
  • Wet your hands with warm running water.
  • Scrub between your fingers, on the backs of your hands, and under your nails for the amount of time it takes you to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice.
  • Dry your hands with paper towels or an electric hand dryer.
  • Use a paper towel when you turn off the tap.
• If soap and water aren’t available, use alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers, keeping hands wet for 10-15 seconds.

Keep your telephones, computers, and other frequently touched machines or equipment clean and regularly disinfected.