One of the most effective ways of preventing the spread of diseases is by washing your hands. Families must cultivate the habit of washing their hands to prevent sicknesses.

However, washing hands constantly is only one side of the coin. The other side is making sure to wash properly. A lot of people don’t know the proper way to wash their hands.

With the emergence of different types of deadly diseases like the Coronavirus, maintaining a clean and healthy lifestyle has become crucial. Properly washing our hands goes a long way in keeping our families safe from contracting this deadly disease.

How often should you wash your hands?

You must wash your hands frequently. Never touch your face without washing your hands first.

When you need to wash your hands:

• Whenever you are handling food. Wash your hands before, during and after any meal preparation.
• Wash your hands before having your meals.
• Always wash your hands before and after coming in contact with any sick person. This is very important especially if you are taking care of someone who is sick.
• Always wash your hands after going to the bathroom.
• Every time you blow your nose, sneeze or cough, make sure you wash your hands afterward.
• Wash your hands after coming in contact with your pets or their food.
• Whenever you return home from work or errands.
• Always wash your hands when you sit down at a restaurant.

How to properly wash your hands

When you wash your hands consistently, you limit the spread of diseases and the risk of infection. This is a great way to keep your family and your community safe from the Coronavirus.

When washing your hands, always follow these steps:

• Make sure your hands are wet with water.
• Apply soap on your hands and rub them together to make a lather. Make sure you have soap all over the back of your hands and in between your fingers and nails.  
• Gently scrub your hands making sure to get under your nails and in between your fingers. Do this for a minimum of 20 seconds. You can sing a song or hum a tune to pass the time.
• Turn on the faucet and rinse your hands under it as the water runs. Make sure the water is clean and warm.
• Use a clean towel to dry your hands.

Can you use a hand sanitizer in place of soap and water?

Washing your hands is the most effective method of preventing the spread of the Coronavirus. However, you can use a hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable.

Any hand sanitizer you use must have an alcohol content of at least 60%. A hand sanitizer that has less than 60% alcohol will not be effective in protecting you from the virus. You can check for the alcohol content on the label.

How to wash your hands with a hand sanitizer

• Pour a little amount of the gel into your palm. You can follow the instructions on the label to know the appropriate amount you need.
• Thoroughly rub your hands together and massage the gel all over your palms and in between your fingers. Also, pay attention to underneath your nails. Keep rubbing for about 20 seconds or until the gel dries.