Hands

Hand washing is one of the most important ways of stopping the spread of germs, as they can be transported on hands to places, surfaces and other people. When someone in the home is ill it is especially important that people wash their hands frequently using warm water and liquid soap to remove germs.


How to wash your hands

  • Step 1 - Apply liquid soap and rub hands together for 15-30 seconds, palm to palm
  • Step 2 - Right palm over back of left hand and left hand over back of right hand
  • Step 3 - Palm to palm, fingers interlaced
  • Step 4 - Backs of fingers to opposite hands, palms with fingers interlocked
  • Step 5 - Rotational rubbing of right thumb clasped in left palm and vice versa
  • Step 6 - Rotational rubbing, backwards and forwards with clasped fingers of right hand in left palm and vice versa

  • When to wash your hands

  • After contact with contaminated items such as rubbish bins and cleaning cloths
  • Before preparing food
  • Before eating
  • After using the toilet or clearing up spillages

  • Did you know?

  • If hands are not thoroughly rubbed with soap for 15-20 seconds, or if they are not properly rinsed under running water, it is quite likely that some germs will remain on them.