ATLANTA, GA-To prevent the spread of germs, including COVID-19, CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water whenever possible. If soap and water are not readily available, using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can help you avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Properly apply alcohol-based sanitizer by rubbing the gel over all surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are.
Overview
Choose hand sanitizers that contain 60% alcohol. Avoid sanitizers not approved by Food and Drug Administration. Properly apply hand sanitizer by rubbing the gel over all surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry. Swallowing alcohol-based hand sanitizers can cause alcohol poisoning. Keep out of the reach of children.
How to Select
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers come in all shapes and sizes with different ingredients. Which alcohol-based hand sanitizer do you choose? Check the product label and follow these do’s and don’ts.
DO
Choose hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol (often listed on the label as ethanol, ethyl alcohol, isopropanol, or 2-propanol).
Hand Sanitizer – Directions
Follow label directions for use.
DO NOT
Choose hand sanitizers that contain less than 60% alcohol.
Hand Sanitizer – FDA List
Choose alcohol-based hand sanitizers on FDA’s Hand Sanitizer Do-Not-Use Listexternal icon.
Hand Sanitizer – Alcohol Free
Choose hand sanitizers labeled as “alcohol-free.”
Hand Sanitizer – Food Container
Choose alcohol-based hand sanitizers packaged in a container that resembles a food or beverage container.
Warning: Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers Packaged Like Food or Drinks
The FDA is warning consumers about alcohol-based hand sanitizers that are being packaged in containers that may appear as food or drinks and some that contain food flavors. Eating or drinking these products can cause serious injury or death.
How to Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer
DO
Rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry.
Keep alcohol-based hand sanitizer out of your eyes.
Store alcohol-based hand sanitizer out of reach and sight of young children.
Supervise young children when they use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Do Not
Rinse or wipe off the alcohol-based hand sanitizer before it’s dry
Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer to clean surfaces
Store alcohol-based hand sanitizer above 105°F
Swallow alcohol-based hand sanitizers
Media Release/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
