Wash your hands before...

Hand washing does not take much time or effort, but it offers great rewards as it puts the doctor at bay.

So, when do you wash your hands?

1. Before, during, and after preparing food

Never ever start to cook without washing your hands. Remember all the activities you went through before getting to the kitchen?

2. Before eating

Eating involves the use of your hands (even when using cutleries). Wash with soap and water.

3. Before and after caring for someone who is sick

A number of infectious diseases can be spread from one person to another by contaminated hands, particularly gastrointestinal infections, influenza and hepatitis A. Washing your hands properly can help prevent the spread of the organisms that cause these diseases.

4. After using the toilet

If you don't wash up properly, you just might take some germs with you. In addition to washing your hands, you might want to take some extra precautions when you are in a public restroom. The fewer surfaces you touch, the better.

6. After touching an animal, its feed, or waste

What if it is contaminated with micro organisms? No one knows when a new disease can come in to light, so, wash your hands with soap.

7. After financial transaction

Not all naira notes are crisp. Some are dirty and had passed through many hands. Even after making use of the Automated Teller Machine wash your hands.

Before carrying babies

To prevent the spread of illness, especially among newborn babies (who are among those most at risk for infection) wash your hands before caring for them.

8. After touching garbage

There is no clean garbage; wash your hands after handling any waste paper bin.

9. After touching your hair/applying make-up

Hand hygiene demands a thorough wash after hairdressing or the use of make-up.

10. After driving

The steering wheel could have been handled by other dirty hands, which left behind some germs. Even after your car has been taken to the mechanics for repairs, there is need to clean the steering wheel.

How to wash your hands

1. Get your hands wet. Turn the tap on and evenly rinse your hands in warm water. Use soap. Work up lather. Scrub on both sides of your hands, in between your fingers, and your wrists. Remember to wash around and under your fingernails.

2. Wash your hands for about 15-20 seconds. Be sure and rub your hands vigorously, and don't rinse off the soap right away. A good tip is to use rotational rubbing, backwards and forwards with clasped fingers from your right hand in your left palm and vice versa.

3. Rinse your hands thoroughly. Place them under running water with your hands pointed downward but not touching the sink. This removes both the soap and the bacteria that were on your hands.

4. Dry your hands with a clean towel. Although they are not as good for the environment, paper towels are more sanitary for drying your hands than cloth towels. If you use cloth towels at home, wash them regularly. If you are in a public restroom, you can also use the hot air dryers if they are available.

Note

Generally, it is better to use liquid soap than bar soap, particularly at work. The benefits of liquid soap include:

o Hygiene: It is less likely to be contaminated.

o Right amount: Liquid soap dispensers do not dispense more than required (more is not better).

Less waste: It's easier to use, with less wastage.

Saves time: Liquid soap dispensers are easy and efficient to use.

www.babycentre.com*