According to experts, hand hygiene serves as the first line of control against any
infection. This is seconded by the World Health Organisation, which states that
clean hands protect against infection. That being said, are you washing your
hands the right way?
Main Points
About 80 percent of common infectious diseases are spread by our hands. Despite this fact,
people tend to forgo proper hand hygiene more often than not.
You can help yourself stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these key
times when you are likely to get and spread germs
• Before, during and after preparing food
• Before eating food
• Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
• Before and after treating a cut or wound
• After using the toilet
• After changing nappies or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
• After touching an animal, animal feed or animal waste
• After handling pet food pet treats
• After touching rubbish
Wash your Hands the Right Way
Washing your hands is easy, and its one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of
germs. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another.
• Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply
soap.
• Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your
hands, between your fingers, and under your nails
• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song
from beginning to end twice
• Rinse your hands well under clean, running water
• Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them
Use a Hand Sanitiser when you can’t use soap and water
Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If
soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that
contains at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by
looking at the product label.
Sanitisers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in many situations. However:-
• Sanitisers do not get rid of all types of germs
• Hand sanitisers may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy
• Hand sanitisers might not remove harmful chemicals from hands like pesticides and
heavy metals
How to use Hand Sanitiser
• Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct
amount)
• Rub your hands together
• Rub the gel over all surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry. This
should take around 20 seconds
Please see below the correct method to use when washing your hands
