Clean your hands!

Next to immunization, the single most important way to prevent influenza is to clean your hands frequently and thoroughly.

Clean your hands before:

• Handling or eating food or feeding others; 
• Brushing or flossing teeth;
• Putting in or taking out contact lenses; and
• Treating wounds or cuts.

Clean your hands after:

• Coughing or sneezing;
• Blowing your nose or wiping someone else’s nose;
• Having contact with a person who has symptoms of influenza;
• Going to the toilet, helping someone else use the toilet or changing a diaper;
• Treating wounds or cuts;
• Handling garbage; and
• Returning home from school, work or shopping.

Encourage children to clean their hands often

• Teach by example.
• Help young children clean their hands.
• Make sure the sink, soap and towels are within reach.
• Place hand washing reminders at eye level for children.
• Teach by example.

How to clean hands with soap and water

• Use regular soap (liquid or bar soap). Antibacterial soap is not necessary.
• Wet hands with warm, running water and lather well.
• Rub the hands together for about the amount of time it would take to sing the song, Twinkle, Twinkle Little
  Star, (about 15 – 20 seconds).
• Scrub all over, including the backs of the hands, the wrists, between the fingers and under the
  finger nails.
• Rinse under running water (for about 10 seconds).
• Dry with a clean or disposable towel.
• If using a public restroom, use a disposable towel to turn off the faucet to avoid further contact with the tap.
• Store liquid soaps in closed containers and do not top up liquid soap containers. When the soap container is mpty, it should be washed and dried before refilling with liquid soap.

How to clean hands with alcohol-based hand rubs (gels, liquids and foams)

• When soap and water are not available, hand rubs are an excellent choice to use.
• Use only alcohol-based hand rubs. They should contain at least 60 per cent alcohol.
• Put some of the hand rub (gel, liquid or foam) on the palm of your hand and rub your hands together.
• Cover all surfaces, including fingers and wrists, and rub until dry (about 15 – 25 seconds).
• Hand rubs don’t work if hands are soiled. When hands are soiled, wash them with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use a towelette that contains detergent. Then use the hand rub.
• Young children need help when using hand rubs. This is to make sure that their hands are dry before they
  touch anything or put their hands in their mouths.