Hand washing and why it's important

HOW TO WASH YOUR HANDS & WHEN TO WASH YOUR HANDS

How do I wash my hands properly?

1. Wet your hands with water. Warm or cold, just make sure it isn’t too hot for little hands
2. Apply enough soap to cover your hands. Antiseptic soap isn’t necessary. If soap isn’t available, hand sanitiser is the next best thing
3. Lather up. This step is particularly important (and often overlooked or rushed) – follow the steps below to help combat germs and illness.
4. Rinse well with running water and dry thoroughly with a clean towel.

When should I clean my hands?

Instilling regular hand washing as rule can help combat the spread of germs and illness in your home and is especially important:

• before cooking, eating and handling food
• when returning home (eg playing outside or after school or visit to the shops)
• after contact with animals, including family pets
• after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, even if you use a tissue
• after cleaning
• before and after visiting people who are unwell
• before and after visiting hospitals, medical centres or doctors