Germs, bacteria and viruses can survive from several hours to several days on surfaces such as hand railings, computer keys, telephones, light switches, doorknobs, money, activity and sports equipment, etc. Individuals touching these contaminated surfaces and then touching their eyes, nose or mouth can transfer germs and viruses to themselves.
Hand washing, when done correctly, is the single most important measure to prevent the spread of infections by cleansing the hands of pathogens (including bacteria or viruses) and chemicals that can cause personal harm or disease, from the common cold to more serious illnesses, such as meningitis, bronchiolitis, influenza, hepatitis A and most types of infectious diarrhoea. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer is also effective in killing viruses.
Hand Washing Technique
- Wet your hands with clean running water. Use warm water if it is available.
- Apply plain soap and lather your hands up to your wrists.
- Outside the stream of running water, rub your wet, soapy hands together as described below for at least 20 seconds (singing the “Happy Birthday” song twice will roughly approximate the amount of time required to adequately rub the hands). The friction of rubbing the hands together helps remove dirt and microorganisms.
- Rub the top of each hand with the palm of the opposite hand.
- Rub one hand against the other in a rotating motion, making sure that every part of each individual finger, including regions between the fingers, are cleaned.
- The thumb and fingertips, which are commonly missed areas, should be washed thoroughly.
- Rinse your hands thoroughly with clean running water. Running water carries away dirt and debris. Point your fingers down so water and contamination won’t drip toward your elbows.
- Dry your hands using clean paper towels or an air dryer.
- Use the paper towels to turn the faucet handle off so that your fingers are not in contact with the faucet. Consider the faucet and sink as contaminated.
Additional information on hand hygiene from Public Health Ontario.
Hand Washing—Frequently Asked Questions
Which soap should I use?
Plain soap should be used with water for the removal of microorganisms from the skin, as water alone is inefficient for the removal of fats, oils and proteins, which are components of organic soil.
Is antibacterial soap better than regular soap?
Antibacterial soap is no more effective at killing germs than is regular soap. Using antibacterial soap may even lead to the development of bacteria that are resistant to the product’s antimicrobial agents, making it harder to kill these germs in the future.
How hot should the water temperature be to wash hands?
Hot water that is comfortable for washing hands is not hot enough to kill bacteria. It is the rubbing motion of the hands with the soap lather and the running water that assists in dislodging the dirt and microorganisms from the hands and in sending them down the drain.
How should I use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when hand-washing facilities are not readily available?
Hand sanitizers containing a minimum of 60 – 70% alcohol are efficient germ killers. Place a dime-sized portion of the product into the palm of one hand. Rub the five fingertips of the other hand in the product. Transfer the liquid to the palm of the other hand and rub the five fingertips of the opposite hand in the product. Rub the palms of the hands together. Then rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers for approximately 30 seconds until hands are dry.
When should hands be washed?
- For first-aid providers, prior to putting on protective gloves and after providing first aid and removing gloves.
- Before and after eating.
- After you handle possibly contaminated surfaces, such as tables and desktops, computer keys, money, telephones, light switches, doorknobs or other contaminated surfaces.
- After you use the washroom.
- After picking up trash. Use protective gloves when cleaning up the schoolyard.
- After you have sneezed, coughed into your hands or blown your nose.
Guidelines for the Safe Use of Hand Sanitizers (Alcohol- and Non Alcohol-based
Hand sanitizer may be used under certain circumstances and when approved for classroom use by the school board’s or facility’s Health and Safety Department (if applicable). All hand sanitizers should be kept away from eyes, nose, mouth and contact lenses.
Refer to The Kindergarten Program, for more information on health and safety.