Hand hygiene means keeping our hands clean to stop germs from spreading. Every day we touch many things like doors, tables, money, and phones. These objects may have millions of germs. When these germs enter our body, they can cause flu, cough, fever, and stomach problems. So, practicing hand hygiene is very important for our health.
How to Practice Hand Hygiene Properly?
Wash hands with soap and clean water Rub the front and back of hands Clean between fingers and under nails Wash hands for at least 20 seconds Dry with a clean towel or tissue If water is not available, using a hand sanitizer is a good option. It kills germs quickly and keeps hands clean.
When Should We Practice Hand Hygiene?
We should keep hand hygiene as a daily habit. Some important times are:
Before eating food
After using the toilet
After coughing or sneezing
After touching pets
After playing outside
Before cooking or serving meals
Why Is Hand Hygiene Important?It prevents harmful diseases
It protects our family from infections
It keeps children safe from germs
It reduces winter colds and flu
It helps maintain overall health
Conclusion:
Good hand hygiene is a small step but gives big protection. Clean hands keep us and the people around us healthy. We should follow this habit every day to enjoy a safe and illness-free life.
Hand Hygiene:
Hand hygiene means keeping our hands clean so germs cannot spread into our body. We touch many things every day like phones, money, and doors. These things may have germs that can make us sick. That is why hand hygiene is very important for everyone.
How to Do Hand Hygiene Properly?
Wash hands with soap and clean water Rub both hands together for 20 seconds Clean between fingers and under nails Rinse well Dry hands with a clean towel when soap and water are not available, a hand sanitizer can be used to kill germs quickly.
When Hand Hygiene Is Needed?
Before eating food
After using the toilet
After coughing or sneezing
After playing outside
After touching pets
Before cooking or serving meals
Importance of Hand Hygiene:
It prevents cough, cold, flu, and infections
It keeps children safe from diseases
It stops germs from spreading to others
It supports good health in all seasons
Hand Hygiene:
Hand hygiene is the practice of keeping our hands clean so we can prevent the spread of harmful germs. Our hands touch many surfaces like desks, currency notes, public transport, and mobile screens.
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/
Millions of bacteria and viruses may be present on these surfaces. When we touch our eyes, nose, or mouth with dirty hands, germs enter our body and cause sickness. So, hand hygiene is a simple but very powerful way to stay healthy.
Proper Steps for Hand Hygiene:
To maintain good hand hygiene, we should wash our hands properly:
Wet hands with clean water Apply soap and rub until foam forms rub the front and back of hands Clean between fingers and around the thumb Scrub under the fingernails where dirt hides Wash for at least 20 seconds Rinse well under running water Dry hands using a clean cloth or tissue.
When soap and water are not available, hand sanitizer should be used. The sanitizer must contain at least 60% alcohol for best protection.
Times When Hand Hygiene Is Necessary:
We should always practice hand hygiene: Before eating or touching food After using the washroom After touching animals or pets After coughing, sneezing, or blowing the nose After coming home from outside After handling trash or garbage Before and after Treating a wound Before and after caring for a sick person.
Why Hand Hygiene Matters?
It prevents flu, cold, diarrhoea, and stomach infections It keeps children healthy in school It reduces the spread of seasonal diseases, especially in winter It protects elderly people whose immunity is weak It reduces hospital infections and saves lives
Doctors and nurses always follow hand hygiene to keep patients safe. It is one of the most important rules of healthcare.
Hand Hygiene for Children
Children often forget to wash their hands. Teaching them fun ways like counting, singing a short song, or using colourful soaps can help them learn good hand hygiene habits. Parents and teachers should guide children every day.
Hand Hygiene in winter:
In winter, people get more cough, cold, and flu. Good hand hygiene helps stop viruses from spreading from one person to another. Clean hands are a strong shield against winter illnesses.
Quick Tips for Better Hand Hygiene:
Keep Nails Short and Clean:
Dirt and germs easily hide under long nails. When we scratch our skin or touch food, these germs can spread. Short and clean nails support good hand hygiene by making it easier to wash away all germs.
Avoid Touching the Face:
Many illnesses start when dirty hands touch the eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs enter our body through these areas very quickly. If we avoid touching the face with unwashed hands, infections can be prevented.
Use a Tissue When Sneezing or Coughing:
While coughing and sneezing, tiny droplets carrying germs spread into the air and onto our hands. Using a tissue and throwing it away properly helps maintain hand hygiene and keeps others safe from germs.
Moisturize Hands Regularly:
In winter or after frequent washing, hands become dry and may get small cracks. Germs can enter through these cracks. Using a gentle moisturizer keeps skin soft and protected, supporting healthy hand hygiene.
Wash Hands After Touching Public Surfaces
Public items like doorknobs, bus handles, and elevator buttons have many germs. Washing hands after touching them helps stop infections from spreading to our body or home.
Use Hand Sanitizer When Soap Is Not Available:
Carrying a sanitizer is very useful when traveling or shopping. A sanitizer with 60% or more alcohol kills harmful germs quickly and improves hand hygiene even without water.
Teach Children Hand Hygiene Early:
Children play everywhere and touch many things. Teaching them fun hand washing steps helps make hand hygiene a strong habit that protects them at school and home.
Dry Hands Properly
Wet hands attract germs more easily. After washing, drying hands with a clean towel or tissue is a very important part of hand hygiene.
FAQs about Hand Hygiene:
1What is Hand Hygiene?
Hand hygiene means keeping our hands clean by washing with soap and water or using a hand sanitizer to remove germs.
2Why is Hand Hygiene important?
It protects us from harmful germs that cause flu, diarrheic, cough, and many infections. It keeps us and others healthy.
When should we practice Hand Hygiene?
- Before eating or cooking
- After using the toilet
- After coughing or sneezing
- After coming home from outside
- After touching animals
- After handling garbage
How long should we wash our hands?
We should wash our hands for at least 20 seconds to remove all dirt and germs properly.
What should we use to clean our hands?
We should use soap and clean water. If water is not available, a hand sanitizer with 60% or more alcohol is useful.
Does Hand Hygiene help in winter?
Yes. In winter, cold and flu spread more easily. Good hand hygiene reduces the chance of getting sick.
Hand Hygiene important for children?
Yes. Children touch many surfaces while playing. Teaching them hand hygiene helps protect them from infections at school and home.
Can hand sanitizer replace hand washing?
Sanitizer works well when water is not available. But washing with soap and water is better for removing dirt and grease.
9Do we need to dry our hands after washing?
Yes. Wet hands create a space for germs to grow. Drying hands properly is a necessary part of hand hygiene.
How can we make Hand Hygiene a habit?
By reminding ourselves and children daily, keeping soap available, using sanitizer while traveling, and following the proper steps every time.