Contact:
Monica Baer, 262-522-9687
mbaer@baercarlson.com
Suzanne Freckmann, (414) 530-0844
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Bradley Corporation Releases Results of Statewide Hand Washing Survey
MILWAUKEE (September 6, 2012) – For the second year in a row, Wisconsinites say they prefer to visit a gas station for a bathroom stop while on a road trip. In an annual hand washing survey, 33 percent of state residents indicated a gas station was their first choice for a restroom break. Rest areas came in second with 28 percent of the vote and fast food restaurants finished third with 23 percent. (Kwik Trip was the gas station most commonly mentioned by name).
The findings come from a statewide Healthy Hand Washing Survey conducted by Bradley Corporation of Menomonee Falls, a leading manufacturer of bathroom and locker room furnishings, including sinks, faucets, hand dryers, showers and lockers.
Interestingly, in the nationwide version of the survey, rest areas were the first choice for 29 percent of Americans. Fast food restaurants were second with 22 percent of the vote (McDonald’s was most frequently mentioned), and gas stations, Wisconsinites first choice, came in third with 17 percent.
And, although Wisconsinites prefer a gas station pit stop, when asked where they’ve had an unpleasant restroom experience, gas stations were mentioned most frequently.
This year’s survey also queried state residents on how often they wash their hands after using a public restroom. 66 percent said they always wash up, 29 percent said usually or about half the time and 4 percent said they usually don’t or never do.
When asked about others’ hand washing actions in public restrooms, 77 percent of Wisconsinites said they frequently or occasionally see people leave without washing their hands. Wisconsin men were significantly more likely to see this occur than women (38 percent of men frequently see non-hand washers vs. 18 percent of women).
The survey also found that the majority of Wisconsinites need to wash their hands longer. 56 percent say they wash for just 5 to 15 seconds. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends washing for at least 20 seconds and suggests singing “Happy Birthday” twice to allow enough time to remove germs and rinse them away.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is unequivocal about the benefits of hand washing, calling it critical in preventing infection and illness:
“Hand washing is a simple thing to do and it’s the best way to prevent infection and illness,” the agency says. And by “washing your hands,” the CDC notes that nothing beats good old soap and water.
According to Jon Dommisse, director of global marketing & strategic development at Bradley Corporation, the Healthy Hand Washing Survey serves a valuable purpose. “We want our annual survey to call attention to the importance of hand washing and the benefits it delivers because hand washing is truly the first defense against germs.”
The online survey of 301 Wisconsin adults was conducted August 1-3, 2012.
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For more than 90 years, Bradley Corporation has designed and manufactured commercial washfountains, and today is the industry’s exclusive source for plumbing fixtures, washroom accessories, restroom partitions, emergency fixtures and solid plastic lockers. Headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wis., Bradley serves the commercial, industrial, health care, recreation, education, and corrections markets worldwide. For more information, contact Bradley at 1-800-BRADLEY or http://www.bradleycorp.com.
