Clean Hands Save Lives
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 a 60 to 90% alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 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 a lather and rub in between fingers, the back of your hands, wrists, and fingertips (covering all parts of the hands)
- Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds. Need a timer? Imagine singing “Happy Birthday” twice through to a friend!
- Rinse hands well under running water
- Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet
- Open bathroom door using paper towel
- Discard paper towel in waste basket
Remember: If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based gel to clean hands.
When using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Apply product to the palm of one hand
- Rub hands together
- Work the sanitizer in between fingers, the back of your hands, wrists and fingertips (covering all parts of the hands and fingers).
- Keep rubbing your hands until dry
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