Teach children to wash their hands thoroughly and often so hand washing becomes a life-long healthy practice.

These instructions are geared for child care centres and schools but include good tips for home too.

• There should be liquid soap, water and disposable paper towels available for hand washing.
• Use plain liquid soap to wash hands. Do not use antibacterial soaps or cleaners. These can lead to antibiotic resistance.
• When washing their hands with soap and water, children should wash for 20 seconds. Sing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.” Then rinse well.
• Use disposable paper towels to dry hands and throw the towel into the garbage. “No Touch” garbage cans help reduce the spread of infection.
• When soap and water are not available, children should use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are safe for children to use.
• When cleaning their hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer, children should use enough sanitizer to keep their hands wet for 15 - 30 seconds. Follow the directions on the bottle.

When should children wash their hands?

• Before and after eating
• After using the toilet
• After sneezing or coughing or wiping their noses
• When their hands are dirty
• After playing with commonly used toys
• Before and after playing at a water table
• After playing outdoors or in a sandbox
• After handling animals or animal waste.

When hands are visibly dirty or if there is diarrhea, warm water and soap should be used instead of a hand sanitizer.