Hand Washing Basics

Washing hands well with soap can help prevent:

  • diarrheal disease
  • respiratory infections
  • intestinal worms
  • skin infections
  • eye infections

How to wash hands properly:

  • Watch this video for funny, kid friendly explanation
  • You must use soap
  • Rub soap all over hands and past wrists for 20 seconds (sing ABC song twice)
  • Be careful to rub soap on backs of hands, between fingers, and under nails
  • Avoid touching unclean surfaces after washing hands

When to wash hands:

  • Before cooking, serving, or eating food
  • After handling raw meat
  • Before harvesting produce
  • After using the bathroom
  • After touching animals or their waste
  • After changing diapers
  • Before and after caring for sick people
  • When hands look dirty
  • Before touching face or eyes

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