Please Wash Your Hands - Even if No One Is Looking!

Research has found that people are more likely to wash their hands after going to the toilet, if they think that someone else is watching them - if no one is looking, they'll not bother!  The research was carried out by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.  They set up sensors in toilets and were able to study the behaviour of 250,000 people.  They found that less than one third of men washed with hands with soap but nearly two thirds of women did.

Why bother washing your hands? As you go through the day touching surfaces and objects, germs accumulate on your hands.  You can infect yourself by touching your own eyes, nose or mouth.  Washing your hands with soap can minimise the spread of bacteria.

When to wash your hands:

1. Before preparing food.
2. Before eating.
3. Before and after treating wounds or giving medicine. A
4. After using the toilet.
5. After changing a baby's diaper/nappy.
6. After touching animals.
7. After emptying the rubbish or touching  something that could be contaminated like muddy shoes.
8. PLUS, wash them whenever they look dirty!

Here are the steps required to give them a thorough wash and reduce risk of infection from bacteria:-

1. Wet hands with running water.
2. Apply anti-bacterial  liquid soap.
3. Lather and rub hands for 15 seconds.
4. Rinse and dry well.

Encourage little ones to wash frequently too.  Show them what to do and lead by example by always washing your hands too!  It will become second nature and you could be doing them a huge favour when it comes to avoiding contagious illnesses!