Hand hygiene basics every home should follow

Hand hygiene is the simplest, most effective habit for keeping everyday infections out of the home. We touch our eyes, nose and mouth far more often than we realise, and clean hands are the first line of defence.

When to wash

• Before eating or preparing food.
• After using the washroom.
• After returning home from outside.
• After coughing, sneezing or handling waste.

How to wash properly

• Wet your hands and apply a good handwash.
• Lather for at least 20 seconds — cover the backs of your hands, between the fingers and under the nails.
• Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry.

Keep a handwash at every basin — kitchen, bathroom and near the entrance — so the habit is easy for the whole family to keep. A gentle, germ-removing formula makes frequent washing comfortable rather than a chore.