Hand
Washing

Why is hand
washing important?
Hand washing, when
done correctly, is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of
communicable diseases. Good hand washing technique is easy to learn and can
significantly reduce the spread of infectious diseases among both children
and adults. Follow these six simple steps to keeping hands clean:
-
Wet your hands
with warm running water.
-
Apply soap.
-
Rub your hands
together, making a soapy lather. Do this away from the running water for
at least 10 seconds, being careful not to wash the lather away. Wash the
front and back of your hands, as well as between your fingers and under
your nails.
-
Rinse your hands
well under warm running water. Let the water run back into the sink, not
down to your elbows.
-
Dry hands
thoroughly with a clean towel.
-
Turn off the
water with a paper towel and dispose in a proper receptacle.
What is good hand
washing technique?
There is more to hand
washing than you think. By rubbing your hands vigorously with soapy water,
you pull the dirt and the oily soils free from your skin. The soap lather
suspends both the dirt and germs trapped inside and are then quickly washed
away.
What type of soap
should be used?
Any type of soap may
be used. However, bar soap should be kept in a self draining holder that is
cleaned thoroughly before new bars are put out. Liquid soap containers,
which must be used in childcare facilities, should be used until empty and
cleaned before refilling. To prevent chapping, use a mild soap with warm
water, pat rather than rub hands dry and apply lotion liberally and
frequently.
How do I disinfect
my hands?
If the water is not
safe for drinking (bacteria, viruses or parasites) then good hand washing
with soap and water should be followed up with hand disinfection for good
hand hygiene. Hand disinfection is when additional agents are used to kill
germs living on your hands. This may be done using alcohol-based
rubs/gels/rinses.
What are alcohol
rubs/gels/rinses?
Alcohol
rubs/gels/rinses are excellent hand disinfectants if they contain 60%
alcohol or more. They are widely used in the health care setting after
washing hands or in situations when water is not available.
How do I use
alcohol-based hand disinfectants?
-
Dirt should be
removed from your hands. Alcohol based hand disinfectants work best on
clean skin, so wash your hands with soap and warm water, even if the
water is not fit to drink.
-
Carefully dry
your hands because water on wet hands will dilute the alcohol content of
the disinfectant product, decreasing its effectiveness.
-
Apply the size of
a dime of sanitizer on your hands, enough so that when you rub your
hands together it will cover all areas of your hands, including under
your nails. Use a rubbing motion to evenly distribute the disinfectant
product for about 15 seconds or until your hands feel dry, whichever is
longest.
How safe are
alcohol-based hand disinfectants?
They are very safe.
The alcohol content of the disinfectant product completely evaporates in 15
seconds. You should use hand lotion after each use of the alcohol-based hand
disinfectant to balance the drying effect of alcohol on your skin.
Is it safe to use
alcohol-based disinfectant for the hands of children?
Yes, it is safe. It
should not be swallowed; therefore, young children should be supervised when
using it. Store it safely. After application of the disinfectant to hands,
the alcohol content evaporates and children can safely touch their mouth or
eyes.
What are some
mistakes I should avoid regarding hand washing?
-
Don’t use a
single damp cloth to wash a group of children's hands.
-
Don’t use a
standing basin of water to rinse hands.
-
Don’t use a
common hand towel. Always use disposable towels in childcare or food
preparation settings.
-
Don’t use sponges
or non-disposable cleaning cloths unless you launder them on a regular
basis, adding chlorine bleach to the wash water. Remember that germs
thrive on moist surfaces.
What are some ways
to help children with good hand washing technique?
It is important to
encourage and help children to wash hands before eating, after playing
outdoors or playing with pets, after using the bathroom, and after blowing
their noses. Even though hands may appear to be clean, they may carry germs
or micro-organisms that are capable of causing disease. Don't assume that
children know how to wash their hands properly. Supervision, especially in a
childcare setting, is an essential element in forming good hand washing
habits in children. Children learn by example. Let them observe good hand
washing technique from the adults who care for them.
Also see:
6 Steps of Proper Hand Washing
MOHLTC Hand Washing and Disinfecting
Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
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