Hand Washing Steps

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1

Rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds using warm running water and soap.

2

Wash under fingernails, between fingers, back of hands and wrists.

3

Rinse your hands well under warm running water.

4

Dry your hands completely. In the home, change hand washing towels often.

In Public Bathrooms

Dry your hands with a single-use paper towel (or with hot air blow dryer).
If towel dispenser has a handle, be sure to roll the paper down before you wash your hands. This helps to ensure that you will not pick up new germs from the handle.
For hand-held faucets, turn off water using a paper towel instead of bare hands so you will not pick up new germs on your clean hands.
Open the bathroom door with the same paper towel.

Always Practice Healthy Habits

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing or coughing, or cough/sneeze into your upper sleeve. Immediately throw away used tissues, then wash hands.
Teach and show children how to wash hands correctly.

When to Wash Hands

Wash Hands After:

Coughing, sneezing, or touching objects and surfaces. You can also use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
Using the bathroom or helping a child use the bathroom
Changing a diaper; wash the child’s hands too
Handling items soiled with body fluids or wastes such as blood, drool, urine, stool, or discharge from nose or eyes
Arriving home from day care, friend’s home, outing, or school
Cleaning up messes
Handling a sick child
Touching an animal or pet

Wash hands before:

Preparing or serving food
Eating or drinking

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