At this worrying time, the most important thing that any of us can do to try & protect ourselves & others is to wash our hands effectively.
That isn’t a quick flick under the tap, it’s a thorough rub of hand & wrists for at least the recommended 20 seconds – singing Happy Birthday twice to yourself?
One of the most significant things I remember from my nurse training is seeing a video, similar to this, simulating germs on your hands using ultraviolet light to show how ineffective hand washing (or even no handwashing) can transmit germs, potentially leaving them on things that you touch eg door handles, light switches, handrails, chairs etc. As the germs hang around for a while, even if you have just washed YOUR hands, once you’ve touched something with germs on that someone else has left there, you can then pick up their germs onto your hands.
This could be even more likely if your hands are wet, that it is why it’s so important to not only wash your hands properly but also dry them properly as well.
Using soap and water is the best way to clean your hands, however, if they are unavailable, the next best thing is to use a hand sanitiser made with a minimum of 60% alcohol content.
Watch the video to check that you are washing your hands most effectively.
Fiona Key
Co-Founder – Liberty Private Care.