Hand washing is a simple and effective way to prevent colds, flu and other infections and illnesses at home, school and work. Following the proper hand washing guideline and teaching your child to do the same is very important to keeping your family healthy .

The basic rule to hand washing is  to wash your hands in the following circumstances.

• Before preparing food
• After handling uncooked food such as poultry
• Before eating
• After changing diapers
• After coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose
• After using the bathroom

Proper hand hygiene using soap and water

• Wash your hands with clean running water and soap. Use warm water when possible.
• Make lather by rubbing your hands together and clean all surfaces.
• Continue rubbing your hands for 15 to 20 seconds.
• Rinse your hands well under running water.
• Dry your hands using a  paper towel or air dryer. If possible , use the paper towel to turn off the faucet.
• It is important to always use soap and water when your hands are visibly dirty. This is always  your best bet. However when they are not available such as when you are at the play ground , you can use alcohol based hands rubs to cleans the hands. This significantly reduces  the number of germs on the skin and are fast acting.

Proper hand hygiene using alcohol based hand sanitizer

• Apply sanitizer to the hand of the palm.
• Rub the sanitizer all over the surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry. You can buy small bottle hand sanitizer that you carry with your or you can buy a larger bottle  and use to refill some small bottles.