Everyone knows the importance of handwashing (ESPECIALLY child care providers), but that doesn’t necessarily mean that we know how to wash our hands properly. With the recent COVID-19 pandemic, more focus than ever has been placed on educating the community about how to thoroughly wash their hands to reduce the risk of infection.
When to Wash Your Hands
According to the Mayo Clinic, wash your hands before:
- Preparing or eating food
- Treating wounds
- Caring for a sick person
- Handling contact lenses
You will also want to wash your hands after:
- Preparing food
- Using the toilet
- Changing a diaper
- Touching an animal
- Blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing
- Treating wounds
- Caring for a sick person
- Handling garbage
- Handling pet food or treats
How to Wash Your Hands
Thoroughly washing your hands should last 20 seconds (singing “Happy Birthday” twice) and consist of these steps:
- Wet your hands under warm running water.
- Apply and lather soap.
- Rub your hands vigorously for 20 seconds (singing “Happy Birthday” twice).
- Rinse well.
- Completely dry your hands with a clean towel.
Here is a handy (no pun intended) visual from the WHO that you may wish to print out and place in your bathrooms:
If no soap and water are available, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is an effective alternative.
And finally, don’t forget to teach the kiddos! Try this fun experiment to visualize what soap and water does to germs so kids will have an easier time understanding why hand washing is so important:
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Thanks so much for the information