The Basic Principle of Protecting Your Hand Hygiene
What Is The Most Hygienic Way To Wash Your Hands?
One of the most vulnerable spots on our bodies when it comes to picking up germs, viruses and bacteria are our hands. They touch, feel and pick up everything we need, coming into contact with hundreds of different objects and surfaces every single day. It is, therefore, appropriate to assume that this part of our body should be washed more regularly than others. The meaning of hand hygiene is that one cleans and sanitises their hands, greatly reducing the number of germs and bacteria that gets picked up from touching different objects and surfaces. Hand hygiene is one of the best cleaning methods to reduce the number of germs that get transmitted from our hands to other surfaces, like our mouths and noses, where these different pathogens are then ingested and often make us sick.
The 5 steps of hand hygiene and the most hygienic way to wash your hands is therefore ensuring that you scrub them down, wash for at least one minute and use effective hand washing soap and/or disinfectant. In order to remain germ-free, it is also important that you wash your hands and disinfect them regularly, especially when you have come into contact with high touch surfaces or objects.
What Should You Do To Ensure Hand Hygiene Outdoors?
Hand hygiene practices are not just for inside the home or office space, and it is important to adhere to strict hand hygiene even if you are outdoors. Though outdoor areas are often considered to be safer as they are more ventilated than indoor spaces, it is still important to make sure you wash your hands to reduce the number of germs that you pick up in certain areas. This is particularly true in environments where bugs and bacteria are growing, these would typically be in hot and humid areas. These types of environments also cause you to sweat and wipe your hands over your face a lot, so be aware of where you are putting your hands and what you are touching when you are hot and sweaty.
It may be harder to keep your hands clean when you are on the move outdoors, which is why it is recommended that people carry hand sanitiser and hand hygiene products with them, ensuring that you will always have adequate products to clean your hands with. Carrying pocket-size hand sanitisers wherever you go is a great way to ensure that your hand hygiene remains good even when you are outdoors! Along with carrying a hand sanitiser with you, it also may be a good idea to purchase your own hand wash to keep with you, these products are often offered in small travel sizes, as the dispensers in public and outdoor spaces may not be strong enough to kill all kinds of germs and bacteria.
When Is The Most Important Time To Wash Your Hands?
Hand hygiene and washing is an extremely important part of day to day life and there are many instances when it is considered to be important to wash and rewash your hands. Any time you touch a surface, whether you are at home or out and about, it is important that you adhere to hand hygiene protocols and sanitise your hands quickly, before they touch your face or come into contact with any objects near to you. It is also important to wash your hands when entering or leaving a space, when you come home from work it is always a good idea to sanitize before entering your home and interacting with your family. All in all, the most important time to wash your hands is… well… always! When it comes to hand hygiene, better be safe and than sorry and make sure your hands are always clean and free of germs.
How Many Repetitions Should Be Done While Washing Your Hands?
Repeating the process of hand washing straight after you have already washed your hands is not necessary, especially if you are using an effective soap or disinfectant. It is however important that you continue to wash your hands throughout the day, you may not be aware of all of the objects and surfaces you touch and when you come into contact with high-touch areas, so it is best to make sure you partake in regular hand hygiene practices. It is suggested that apart from washing after using the bathroom and when you have come into contact with a high touch surface that you wash your hands around six to ten times a day, whether it is using a hand sanitiser or washing them with soap. Along with washing your hands around six to ten times a day, make sure that you wash them for around one minute each time, as this ensures that even the toughest germs have been removed.
