It’s National Hygiene Week, so we’re getting proactive about hand washing. 

Did you know washing your hands is one of the best defences you have against infections? 

Hand washing, also known as hand hygiene, is the act of cleaning one’s hands with soap and water to remove viruses/bacteria/microorganisms, dirt, grease, or other harmful and unwanted substances stuck to the hands. Drying of the washed hands is part of the process as wet and moist hands are more easily recontaminated.

Germs from unwashed hands can be transferred to other objects, like handrails, tabletops, or toys, and then transferred to another person’s hands. Removing germs through handwashing therefore helps prevent diarrhoea and respiratory infections and may even help prevent skin and eye infections.

5 Facts that may just make you want to re-think when and how you wash your hands.

1. Only about 5% of people wash their hands correctly.
2. Most people only wash their hands for 6 seconds.
3. Around 33% of people don’t use soap when washing their hands.
4. Dirty sinks result in less handwashing.
5. Reminder signs are successful in encouraging more handwashing.

Get your FREE poster for your bathroom as a guide for the younger hand washers who might need a little more guidance.