hand hygiene

 how to maintain hand cleanliness and hygiene for children with precautions .

how to maintain hand cleanliness and hygiene for children : 

1. teach regular hand washing : 

- when to wash : children should wash their hands after using the bathroom , before eating , after playing outside and after coughing or sneezing .

steps : teach them to scrub their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds , making sure to clean all areas . front back between fingers and under nails. 

- use alcohol-based sanitiser : if soap and water unavailable , teach children to use hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol .

2. use gentle soap and water :

opt for mild , child friendly soaps that don't irritate their skin . be sure to rinse thoroughly .

3. encourage drying hands : 

after washing , children should dry their hands with a clean towel or paper towel . encourage them to use their towel for hand drying .

4. nail care : 

keep nails trimmed and clean to avoid a tissue or their elbow , then wash hands immediately .

5. avoid touching the face : 

remind children not to touch their eyes , nose or mouth with dirty hands to prevent germs from entering the body . 

precautions 

1. avoid using towels or handkerchiefs :

- don't let children share towels , as germs can spread quickly .

2. supervise younger children : 

- younger kids may need assistance in properly washing and drying their hands .

3. use antibacterial products carefully : 

- avoid overusing antibacterial soaps or sanitisers as they can irritate the skin . only use them when necessary .

4. keep your environment clean : 

regularly clean toys , surface and high - touch areas like door handles and tables to further reduce exposure to germs . 

FAQ : 

1. why is hand hygiene important for children ? 

- hand hygiene is essential because children are more susceptible to infections and can easily spread germs . regularly hand washing helps reduce the risk of illness like the flu colds . stomach , bugs and more.

2. how long should kids wash their hands ?

- kids should wash their hands for at least 20 seconds . this is about the time it takes to sing "happy birthday" twice 

3. can hand sanitisers be used in place of soap and water ? 

- yes , but hand sanitisers should only be use if soap and water are not available . ensure the sanitiser has at least 60% alcohol for effectiveness .