Keeping hands clean through improved hand hygiene is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others at home and the workplace.
WHEN should you wash your hands?
| BEFORE | AFTER | BEFORE AND AFTER |
| Eating or feeding children | Using the washroom (toilet), changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet | Before, during, and after preparing food |
| Applying contact lenses | Handling pets, domestic animals, animal feed, animal waste or garbage | Tending to someone who is sick |
| Giving any medication or first aid | Coughing, sneezing, or blowing and scratching the nose | And whenever your hands appear dirty |
Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to reduce the number of germs on them in most situations. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Although alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not remove harmful chemicals, they can quickly reduce the number of germs on your hands in some situations.
