Hand Hygiene 101

It's that time of year – flu season is upon us and practicing good hand hygiene is one of your best defences against influenza (the "flu") and the common cold. Here are six handwashing tips to keep yourself healthy this flu season and help prevent the spread of infectious diseases to others. 

  1. When washing your hands, remove any hand or arm jewellery you may be wearing and wet your hands with warm water. Using regular soap, rub your hands together making sure you have lathered all surfaces.
  2. Wash the front and back of your hands, as well as between your fingers and under your nails. Wash for at least 15 seconds. How long is 15 seconds? The length of time it takes to sing Happy Birthday.
  3. Rinse your hands thoroughly under warm running water.
  4. Turn off the tap using the paper towel so that you do not re-contaminate your hands. When using a public bathroom, use the same paper towel to open the door when you leave.
  5. Carry around an alcohol-based hand rub in case soap and water are not available.
  6. Wash your hands often! Especially after coughing, sneezing or using tissues, before and after eating, before preparing food, after handling raw meat, after petting an animal, and after using the bathroom.

Happy hand washing!

"How to wash your hands"

"How to use hand sanitizer"