Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs. Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community—from your home and workplace to childcare facilities and hospitals.
Follow these five steps every time you wash your hands
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
If you aren’t able to wash your hands, use hand sanitizer.
How to use hand sanitizer
- Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).
- Rub your hands together.
- Rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry. This should take around 20 seconds.
Review
Handwashing
Practice
Handwashing
Follow these five steps every time you wash your hands
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
If you aren’t able to wash your hands, use hand sanitizer.
How to Use Hand Sanitizer
How to use hand sanitizer
- Apply the gel product to the palm of one hand (read the label to learn the correct amount).
- Rub your hands together.
- Rub the gel over all the surfaces of your hands and fingers until your hands are dry. This should take around 20 seconds.
Reflection
Following activities in the community setting such as going to the Dr.’s office, riding a bus or other public transportation, going to the grocery store, going to a park, etc. Reflect on ways that you tried to keep yourself and others safe.
Did I practice good handwashing practices in public?
- If so, how did I do that?
- Did I have access to soap or hand sanitizer when needed?
- Is there anything I should do differently next time such as take hand sanitizer with me?
- Ask someone for soap or hand sanitizer when needed?
How Coronavirus Spreads. (n.d.). Retrieved October 17, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-covid-spreads.html