Suds Up and Wash Up for Global Handwashing Day

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis., Oct. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Soap, vigorous scrubbing and water. Those are the key ingredients to properly clean your hands. In fact, Global Handwashing Day on October 15 is designed specifically to call attention to this do-it-yourself health step that prevents illness and saves lives around the world.

For the past eight years in the United States, Bradley Corporation has conducted a Healthy Hand Washing Survey to communicate the benefits of this important cleansing action.

"Every chance we get we want to stress the vital importance of hand hygiene. Wash up throughout the day, especially after using the bathroom and before preparing or eating food," says Jon Dommisse, director of global marketing and strategic development at Bradley Corp.

According to the 2017 Healthy Hand Washing Survey, 97% of Americans believe it's important to wash their hands after using a public restroom. However, just 66% always wash their hands after using a public restroom. Another 25% say they usually do; 5% do so half of the time; 3% usually don't; and 1% say they never wash up after using a public restroom.

A lack of soap or paper towels are the most frequently cited reasons for skipping this critical cleansing step.

"In the U.S., most Americans know that washing their hands is part of a healthy lifestyle because it removes germs and bacteria, which helps ward off the flu, colds and infections," explains Dommisse. "Yet, we consistently find that people skip hand washing because supplies are missing or they're pressed for time."

Another troubling stat revealed by the survey is 82% of respondents say they've regularly or occasionally seen others leave a public restroom without washing their hands. It's a number that's edged up over the past two years.

On the other hand, the survey does contain good news. 70% of Americans report they suds up more frequently, more thoroughly or longer when they hear about a flu virus going around.

"Hand washing should happen at all times of the year but it's imperative to be especially diligent when cold and flu season sets in," adds Dommisse.

Bradley Corporation is a leading manufacturer of commercial plumbing fixtures, washroom accessories, restroom partitions, emergency fixtures and solid plastic lockers. The company has conducted the Healthy Hand Washing Survey since 2009.

The 2017 Healthy Hand Washing Survey queried 1,042 American adults online Dec. 12-15, 2016, about their workplace restrooms, hand washing habits in public restrooms and concerns about germs, colds and the flu. Participants were from around the country, were 18 years and older, and were fairly evenly split between men and women (49 and 51 percent).

For more than 95 years, Bradley Corporation has designed and manufactured commercial washroom and emergency safety products, and today is the industry's leading source for commercial plumbing fixtures, washroom accessories, restroom partitions, solid plastic lockers, and emergency safety fixtures and industrial grade electric tankless heaters. Headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Bradley serves the commercial, industrial, health care, retail, and education markets worldwide. For more information, contact Bradley at 1-800-BRADLEY or www.bradleycorp.com.

SOURCE Bradley Corporation