This week, coronavirus cases in the UK have skyrocketed, leading to widespread panic about the spread of the disease.
One of the key prevention methods to reduce your risk of catching the virus is washing your hands with soap and hot water.
While you might think that a quick blast under the tap is enough to keep your hands clean, this isn’t actually the case.
To help, the NHS has revealed a step-by-step guide on how to wash your hands properly.
It explained: “Washing your hands properly removes dirt, viruses and bacteria to stop them spreading to other people and objects, which can spread illnesses such as food poisoning, flu or diarrhoea. It can help stop people picking up infections and spreading them to others.”
From singing Happy Birthday twice to making sure you scrub everyone nook and cranny, here’s the official NHS advice for cleaning your hands.
How to clean your hands properly
- Wet your hands with water
- Apply enough soap to cover your hands
- Rub your hands together
- Use 1 hand to rub the back of the other hand and clean in between the fingers. Do the same with the other hand
- Rub your hands together and clean in between your fingers.
- Rub the back of your fingers against your palms
- Rub your thumb using your other hand. Do the same with the other thumb
- Rub the tips of your fingers on the palm of your other hand. Do the same with other hand
- Rinse your hands with water
- Dry your hands completely with a disposable towel
- Use the disposable towel to turn off the tap
When to wash your hands
Amid the coronavirus outbreak, it’s important to regularly wash your hands, although the NHS advices washing:
- after using the toilet or changing a nappy
- before and after handling raw foods like meat and vegetables
- before eating or handling food
- after blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing
- before and after treating a cut or wound
- after touching animals, including pets, their food and after cleaning their cages
