How to wash your hands
To properly wash your hands, make sure you remove your watch and any jewellery. Then, follow these 6 steps:
Steps 1-2-3
Wet your hands under running warm water. Apply approximately 3 ml of liquid soap on your hands. Lather well for a minimum of 20 seconds.
Steps 4 and 5
Scrub your hands on both sides (the palms and the dorsa), in between your fingers (interlace them), your wrists and especially underneath your fingernails (a lot of bacteria can accumulate under your nails). Scrub your thumbs by clasping each thumb with the opposite hand. Scrape the palms of your hands with the tips of your fingers. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue.
Step 6
Carefully dry your hands with an air dryer or a clean paper towel. Turn the faucet off with the paper towel. Avoid touching any dirty objects when you leave the bathroom or restroom.
Wash your hands often and teach both your children and loved ones how to properly wash their hands. Encourage everyone around you to regularly wash their hands.
Many bacteria and viruses are transmitted person to person by direct physical contact with people around us (a handshake, for example) or a contaminated object (telephone, door handle, faucet, etc.). The flu, common cold and gastroenteritis are all examples of infections that can be spread by contaminated hands.
Why?
Washing your hands helps to remove microorganisms on your hands and wrists. It helps to avoid the propagation of germs and reduce the risk of infection.
When?
Use good judgement when determining how often you should wash your hands. Naturally, as soon as your hands appear dirty, you must wash them. In addition, you should also wash your hands throughout the day. For example, if you come into contact with a person who is hospitalized, it is important to wash your hands prior to and after your visit. Here are other examples of when washing your hands is key:
Before
- Making a meal, handling food or serving a dish
- Taking your medication
- Touching your face
After
- Having cared for someone who is infected or coming into direct physical contact with objects in your surrounding environment
- Having blown your nose, coughed or sneezed into your hands (or if you helped a child blow their nose)
- Eating, drinking or smoking Avoir mangé, bu ou fumé;
- Being in a public place
Other tips
- Oftentimes, children don’t scrub their hands enough when they wash them. To resolve this issue, have your children sing a song that lasts for at least the required time (20 seconds). This will make the process of washing hands more fun—and more effective!
- When someone is sick at home, it is important to disinfect objects in the surrounding environment with a solution made up of bleach (1 part bleach for 9 parts water). Bedding and clothing must also be wash with ordinary laundry detergent.
- To avoid the propagation of germs, it is important to not put your hands in your mouth, eyes or nose.
- It is also important to protect any cuts or wounds at all times; these are regions that can be susceptible to infection.
- Wearing gloves does not replace washing your hands. It is therefore recommended to wash your hands even if you have used gloves.
- Alcohol-based disinfectant gels does not replace washing your hands. However, if you don’t have immediate access to water and soap, you can still use them.
