﻿ Effective hand hygiene in the kitchen | Healthy Kitchen | Dettol

Effective hand hygiene in the kitchen

Keeping your hands clean is one of the easiest and surest ways to ensure good kitchen hygiene, stop the spread of germs and also safeguard your family from illness. Research states that kitchen is the most germ-ridden space in your home, so it is even more imperative for you to practice effective hand hygiene whilst preparing food.

So, when is it necessary to wash our hands in the kitchen?

  • Before and after you prepare food
  • After coming in contact with raw foods
  • After clearing trash
  • After washing or wiping down surfaces
  • After cooking
  • If you happen to cough or sneeze while cooking food, rinse your hands and wipe down any contaminated surfaces

Preparing food along with your little ones can be a fun activity. It’s also the perfect time to teach them about kitchen hygiene and the importance of washing hands before and after touching food. Below mentioned are some useful tips that would help you introduce and encourage good and effective hand hygiene in the kitchen.

Nneka, 30, Mom to Anita & Anabel

First things first, I ensure that the girls are ready by making them to put on an apron, asking them to tie their hair, roll up long sleeves and clean their hands with warm water and soap.

I am completely aware of the importance of a safe and hygienic environment while cooking, and so we have always thought about safe ways to involve our children in the kitchen, even from a tender age. We include them in almost all activities, from narrowing down on what to cook, mixing and weighing ingredients, setting the table and helping to clean up afterwards!

Kenny, 34, Dad to Bayo

I believe that it is essential for me to be an effective hand hygiene role model to Bayo in the kitchen. I strive to ensure that I wash my hands together with him before, during and after preparing food to eradicate any germs. Repetition and routine plays an important role in making good handwashing a habit, so we come together and do it every time! Below mentioned are the step by step hand washing guide we religiously follow.

  1. Wet your hands under running water
  2. Apply soap and lather
  3. With soap rub your hands vigorously for 20 seconds. Remember to clean the back of your hands and underneath of your fingernails.
  4. Rinse meticulously
  5. Use a clean tower or hand dryer to dry your hands
  6. Turn off the faucet with the help of your elbow or the towel

Cassandra, 27, Mom to Brian

Both my husband and I strive to make handwashing as simple as possible for Brian! Our kitchen is always stocked up with good quality soap, usually Dettol Soap and a stool, just so he can reach the sink without difficulty. The main intention here is to make him think of hand washing as less of a chore.

We also try and discuss the importance of hand washing while we are having fun in the kitchen. I usually use this opportunity to emphasize on the importance of hand washing and how it can help everyone in the family stay healthy and happy by stopping harmful germs. I also ensure that Brian knows that there are certain food items he should wash hands after handling, such as raw foods, because they contain more germs than others.

Hopefully we’ve introduced you to a few ideas on how to make proper kitchen hygiene a little simpler and more understandable for your kids.  Remember to include a good antibacterial soap, such as Dettol Soap, in the kitchen so that little hands stay hygienic.