Hand Washing 101
Learn how to properly wash your hands in 12 simple steps.
BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE
Hand washing is the number one way to avoid infection, and although the pandemic gave us a refresher course in hand hygiene, a few years have passed, and your young family might not be totally on top of this life skill.
So, here are 12 steps you need to follow to hand wash correctly, care of St John:
1. Wet hands with water.
2. Apply enough soap to cover all hand surfaces.
3. Rub hands palm to palm.
4. Rub right palm over top of left hand with interlaced fingers, and vice versa.
5. Rub palm to palm with fingers interlaced.
6. Rub backs of fingers against opposing palms.
7. Rotational rubbing of left thumb clasped in right palm, and vice versa.
8. Rub fingers of right hand around, back and forward in left palm, then vice versa.
9. Rinse hands with water.
10. Dry hands thoroughly with a single use towel.
11. Use the towel to turn the tap off.
12. Your hands are now safe.
All up, St John says you should spend 40 to 60 seconds washing your hands, and it is important to be fastidious.
Although we’ve moved past sickly winter into sprightly spring, illness can spread easily when germs are left to linger on the skin.
And when injury strikes, it’s imperative that you apply that ‘magic cream’ and band aid with super clean hands.
Also, speaking of first aid, St John has a whole range of fact sheets that explain how to respond to different injuries and emergencies.
They cover burns, dog bites, drowning, broken bones, choking and lots more.
And although you don't want to see any harmful incidents happening, knowing what to do is really important, as is a well-stocked first aid kit.
So, keep it close to hand, and take care!
