11 January 2005

Hand washing - simple advice that makes a big difference

Good hand-washing habits help to stop the spread of infection and reduce the amount of time teachers and students are absent from school due to infectious illness. Dr Paul Armstrong, NSW Health Acting Director of Communicable Diseases, said parents have a key role to play in ensuring their children know when to wash their hands.

Children should wash their hands:

• Before they eat or handle food
• After playing
• After blowing their nose
• After going to the toilet
• After touching their pets.

Dr Armstrong said parents should also ensure their children know how to wash their hands correctly.

Steps in washing hands are:

• Wash with soap and running water
• Wash front and back of hands as well as between fingers and nails
• Rinse well with running water
• Dry well all over.

“If parents lead by example and help their children develop good hand-washing habits early in life they can significantly reduce the spread of infection, not just in schools but also in the home,” Dr Armstrong said.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au