I recently took my two grandchildren to an event held at the Middle Smithfield Community Center focused on children’s health. LVH-Pocono provided information about various health and healthy programs and choices for children. One of those little demonstrations that my two little cherubs took part in was the importance of handwashing.

Now I know that we are all very familiar with the handwashing rules, but this is the start of the flu season and, heaven forbid, reoccurring COVID illnesses. Handwashing is one of the best ways to prevent you or your family from getting sick. It is realistically one of the most important steps one should take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.

Back to the little demonstration. Each child was asked to put sanitizer on their hands and "rub them well together". Well, the process for a 2-year-old is a bit iffy, but the 4-year-old followed directions perfectly. Then each child’s hands were put under a light to see if there were any germs left. Wow, they lit up like a billboard on Broadway!

The follow-up to that was going over to the sink and washing hands with plain old soap and water for, you know it, 20 seconds. During the height of the pandemic, there was much thought as to what song would best fill in and measure those 20 seconds. Of course, singing "Happy Birthday" twice will do the trick, but really after you’ve sung it over and over, some variety might appeal to you.

Perhaps to shake things up a bit you try: "Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, I'm begging of you please don't take my man. Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene. Please don't take him just because you can." Triage nurse Phillip Flavin goes for a line from Queen three times: "We will, we will rock you (rock you)." Sometimes, he says, he changes it to "We will, we will wash you."

For those whose gaze turns heavenward, Jody Brkich suggests "Twinkle, twinkle little star" twice. It is likely that you will have more success with the kids using Happy Birthday or Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.

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Scientifically, the 20 seconds as the optimal time has proven to remove the most germs from hands. Lathering your hands up with regular soap and rubbing them together taking care to wash palms and the backs as well as cleaning under nails is most effect. The lathering and scrubbing process creates friction which helps lift dirt, germs and microbes.

Microbes are all tiny living organisms that may or may not cause disease. Where as germs, or pathogens, are types of microbes that can cause disease. That is the official science lesson. But when hands are not clean, there is a greater potential to spread serious infections to those who are vulnerable. This is the reason medical professionals will change gloves between patients.

To make the handwashing effective, rinse hands under clean, running water. Aside from having cleaner hands, thoroughly, rinsing hands can minimize potential skin irritation. Even wet hands can transfer germs, and although the perfect way to dry them is still not clear, most studies done to date note a clean towel or air drying are the best options.

Now back to the two cherubs and the results of their handwashing experiment. After drying their hands with a clean paper towel, the black light was back. To their surprise, OK, the 4-year-old’s surprise, there were only one or two germs remaining. Practical experiment was a success!

So, as the kids get back to school, your household returns to the office, keep in mind: one small, but effective measure you can take to keep your household up and running, including all its occupants!

Debbie Kulick writes a weekly column for the Pocono Record and Tri-County Independent. She serves on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic as an EMT.