Hand washing
How we wash our hands – This is what we teach the children when they are in the preschool and I thought you would like to reinforce the procedure at home.
Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. It is best to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds. However, if soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based product to clean your hands. Alcohol-based hand rubs significantly reduce the number of germs on skin and are fast acting.
When washing hands with soap and water:
· Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available.
· Rub hands together to make lather and scrub all surfaces.
Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds. Need a timer? Imagine singing “Happy Birthday” twice through to a friend! Or sing a Sesame Street song twice:
Wash, wash, wash my hands,
Make them nice and clean!
Rub the bottoms and the tops
And fingers in between
· Rinse hands well under running water
· Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. Use your paper towel to turn off the faucet (therefore your hand does not touch the faucet handle)
When should you wash your hands?
· Before preparing or eating food
· After going to the bathroom
· After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom
· Before and after tending to someone who is sick
· After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
· After handling an animal or animal waste
· After handling garbage
· Before and after treating a cut or wound
- As soon as you walk in your door at home or school
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way. Cough and sneeze in your elbow instead of hand!