Welcome to the Handwashing Information Web Page! Handwashing is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect yourself from many infectious diseases. The following information is included:

Note: When you print these PDF files, you may need to set paper sizes and orientations in your print dialogue box.

For more information or to order limited quantities of these materials, call the Division of Epidemiology and Immunization, Massachusetts Department of Public Health: 617-983-6800 or (toll free) at 1-888-658-2850. Please note: handwashing materials are only available to Massachusetts residents. If you are not a Massachusetts resident, you can print out copies from the website or reproduce your own from the Commercial Quality Printing versions.

Handwashing Education Materials for the General Public

Sample Handwashing Newspaper Article

  • Sample Newspaper Article (Word) doc format of sample-newsarticle.doc
    This sample article on the benefits of handwashing can be printed "as is" or edited for publication in community newspapers or newsletters.

Handwashing Tri-fold Brochure (Adults)

Wash Your Hands

Handwashing Poster (Adults)

Did You Wash Your Hands? Poster Size: 11" x 14"

Handwashing Lesson Plans for Kindergarten-Sixth Grade

Download and print the Lesson plans to hand out to kids from kindergarten through sixth grade.

Handwashing Poster (Kids)

Handwashing Education Materials for Food Handlers

Calendar

Poster

"The health of your customer's is in your clean hands. Wash your hands!"

Note: This poster is 11" x 17". If you wish to print it on 8-1/2" x 11" paper, you must select the appropriate paper size, choose landscape orientation, and check the box that says "shrink oversized pages to paper size".

Fact Sheets

Statistics

EVERY YEAR in the United States, foodborne illnesses cause:

  • 76 million people to get diarrhea and upset stomachs;
  • 325,000 people to be hospitalized;
  • 5,000 unnecessary deaths

* These Commercial Quality Printing Version files require QuarkXPress software.

Handwashing Education Materials for Health Care Professionals

Hand Hygiene Poster

Respiratory Hygiene

Note: This poster is 11" x 17". If you wish to print it on 8-1/2" x 11" paper, you must select the appropriate paper size, choose landscape orientation, and check the box that says "shrink oversized pages to paper size".

** These Commercial Quality Printing Version files require Adobe InDesign software.

This information is provided by Epidemiology Program within the Department of Public Health.