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Hand Washing

Child Washing Hands Why is hand washing important?

Hand washing is an effective way to prevent the spread of diseases. This is especially important during cold and flu season, but should be done year round. Good hand washing technique is easy to learn and can significantly reduce the spread of infectious diseases among both children and adults.

What types of disease can good hand washing prevent?

  1. Diseases spread through indirect contact with respiratory secretions. This includes diseases such as influenza (flu), Streptococcus (pneumonia, strep throat), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the common cold.
  2. Diseases spread through fecal-oral transmission. Salmonella, shigella, hepatitis A, giardia, enterovirus, amebas and campylobacteriosis are spread by this method. Because of diseases such as these, hand washing after using the toilet is very important.
  3. Diseases may also be spread when hands are contaminated with urine, saliva or other moist body substances. Cytomegalovirus (CMV), typhoid, staphylococcal organisms and Epstein-Barr virus (kissing disease) are spread this way.

What is good hand washing technique?

There is more to hand washing than you think!

Follow these four simple steps to keeping hands clean:

  1. Wet your hands with warm running water.
  2. Add soap, then rub your hands together, making a soapy lather. Do this away from the running water for at least 20 seconds, being careful not to wash the lather away. Wash the front and back of your hands, as well as between your fingers and under your nails.
  4. Dry hands thoroughly with a clean towel. Then turn off the water with a clean paper towel and dispose in a proper receptacle.

What type of soap should be used?

Any type of soap may be used. To prevent chapping, use a mild soap with warm water; pat rather than rub hands dry; and apply lotion liberally and frequently.

What are some mistakes I should avoid regarding hand washing?

  • DON'T use a single damp cloth to wash a group of children's hands.
  • DON'T use a standing basin of water to rinse hands.


Help children wash their hands before eating, after playing outdoors or with pets, after using the bathroom, and after blowing their noses.

Don't assume that children know how to wash their hands properly. Guide them to develop good hand washing habits.

Finally, children learn by example! Let them see you washing your hands properly!

May I use the over-the-counter alcohol gels for washing my hands, instead of using soap and water?

Yes, these products are very effective at killing germs on the hands. They can be used when soap and water are not available. Kids like to use them too!

Apply about a teaspoonful on the palm of one hand. Rub it all over both hands, making sure you rub the front, back and fingernail areas of both hands. Let the alcohol dry, which should take about 30 seconds.

If your hands look dirty but you have no other way to wash your hands, use the gel, but wash with soap and water as soon as you can.

For more information about hand washing, please see the links below: