The Bethlehem Health Bureau offers City of Bethlehem schools, organizations, and businesses an interactive educational program “Germ City.” This program has been utilized at schools in the Bethlehem Area School District, pre-schools, City Hall, senior centers and community and business health fairs.

Program Objectives

The primary function of the Germ City program is as an educational tool to increase awareness and facilitate meaningful changes in hand washing behaviors necessary to improve all levels of community infection control prevention.

The objectives of the Germ City Program are to:

1. Enhance awareness of the importance of hand washing using science based education for youth, adults, and older Americans preparing food in the home.
2. Improve effectiveness and frequency of hand washing reaching a diverse audience in rural and urban settings including children, adults, senior citizens, and at-risk population groups.
3. Modify attitudes, enhance personal motivation, and facilitate positive behavior change for hand washing.

Hand washing reminder: Scrub hands for at least 20 seconds, or the amount of time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” in your head twice.

Step #1: Wet your hands with warm water

Step #2: Apply soap

Step #3: Rub your hands together for at least
20 seconds. This is the amount of time it
takes to sing “Happy Birthday” to yourself.

Step #4: Be sure to wash your fingernails, cuticles, & nail bed!

Step #5: Wash the germs away

Step #6: Dry your hands

Don’t forget to use a paper towel to turn off faucets and to open the restroom door

Please view photos below to see Germ City in action!

Germ City at the BASD Nurse’s In-Service

Posters detail hand washing techniques and
the many places germs can be acquired!

A young visitor enters Germ City

Learning proper hand washing techniques

Germ City exterior with hand washing stations

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