Safe Food For the Hungry -- II
Learning Center Activities Part 1: Food Safety
Learning Center Activity 3:
Glowing Germs Lesson Plans
Test Your Hand Washing Using "Glowing Germs"
Objectives:
Handwashing is an important way to minimize the spread of disease-causing bacteria. In this activity participants will:
- learn the importance of proper handwashing
- practice washing hands for the correct amount of time.
- visualize bacteria.
Materials:
- wrist watch with a second hand or a stop watch
- paper towels
- soap
- Glo Germ oil*
- UV light
- sink
*Note: Baby oil or Vegetable oil and ground cinnamon can be substituted for the Glo Germ oil and UV light.
Glo Germ oil and portable UV lights are available from:
Glo Germ Company
P.O. Box 537
Moab, Utah 84532
1-800-842-6622
1-800-634-0770 (Canada)
Preparations for Teaching:
- Post the handwashing poster and instruction sheets.
- Set out Glo Germ oil, UV light, and stop watch. (Or oil and cinnamon).
Instructions for Teaching:
- Encourage participants to read the handwashing poster and fact sheets.
- Encourage participants to test their handwashing technique using the Glo Germ oil and UV light, or the oil and cinnamon.
* Note: If using oil and cinnamon, use the following instructions:
- Place a few drops of oil on the hands.
- Rub hands together to distribute the oil evenly.
- Sprinkle cinnamon lightly over the oiled hands.
Learning Center Activity 3:
Glowing Germs Background
Handwashing Fact Sheet
Bacteria are everywhere. Some of them are useful, many of them are neither good nor bad, but a few can make us sick. Many bacteria get from place to place by hitchhiking on people. They can be found in the folds of skin, in our noses and throats, on our hair, and under our fingernails. We can also pick up bacteria from things we touch. Bacteria can be transferred to food from dirty hands, dirty aprons, utensils, food contact surfaces, and equipment. More than 16% of foodborne disease outbreaks have been traced to poor personal hygiene of people working with food.
People that handle food can keep harmful bacteria out of food by practicing good personal hygiene. Simple steps like bathing or showering every day before going to work and wearing a clean uniform or apron can help. Washing hands often and properly is also very important. You should always wash your hands:
- before you handle food
- after using the bathroom
- after eating or drinking
- after smoking or chewing tobacco
- after handling dirty plates or garbage
- after working with raw foods
- after touching other parts of your body like your nose, mouth, hair, and skin
- after handling dirty utensils, objects, or equipment.
To wash hands properly you should:
- use soap and hot water
- wash for at least 20 seconds
- dry with a single use towel.
Remember that bacteria are tenacious. Proper hand washing will remove many microorganisms, but some may remain.
Learning Center Activity 3:
Glowing Germs Instruction Sheets
Test Your Hand Washing Technique Using Glowing Germs
- Place 2-3 drops Glo Germ oil on your hand.
- Rub the oil over both hands.
- Shine the UV light on your hands and notice the glowing "germs."
- Wash your hands. Use the stop watch to see how long you wash your hands.
- Shine the UV light on your clean hands. How many "germs" are left?
Hand Washing-When?
- Before handling food.
- After using the bathroom.
- After sneezing or coughing.
- After eating, drinking, or smoking.
- After handling garbage or dirty dishes.
- After working with raw foods.
- After touching your body (hair, nose, mouth, skin, ...).
Hand Washing-How?
- Use soap and hot water.
- Wash for at least 20 seconds.
- Be sure to get between fingers and under nails.
- Dry with a single use towel.