Why is handwashing so important?
Washing your hands and your childrens hands is the best way to stop the spread of germs. You are always collecting germs on your hands, by opening doors, wiping faces, playing with toys and changing diapers. You can't avoid them, but you can reduce the chance of passing them to others by washing your hands.

When should parents wash their hands?
Wash your hands before:

• Cooking or eating.
• Feeding a baby or child (including breastfeeding).
• Giving medication to a child.

Wash your hands after:

• Changing a diaper.
• Helping a child to use a toilet.
• Using a toilet yourself.
• Taking care of a sick child.
• Handling pets or animals.
• Cleaning pet cages or litter boxes.
• Wiping or blowing your own or your child’s nose.
• Preparing food.

When should children wash their hands?
Children should wash their hands before:

• Eating or handling food.
• Water play.

Children should wash their hands after:

• Having a diaper change.
• Using the toilet.
• Playing outdoors or in sand.
• Playing with pets or animals.
• Sneezing or coughing into their hands or blowing noses.

Four steps to proper handwashing

• Wet your hands under running water.
• Scrub your hands well with soap.
• Rinse your hands under running water.
• Dry your hands with a clean towel.

When water and soap are not available, use premoistened hand wipes or alcohol-based hand rinses. Keep hand rinses out of the reach of children because they may be harmful if swallowed.

How should parents wash their baby's hands?

• Wash your baby’s hands with soap and a warm, wet, fresh towel (either paper or cloth).
• Rinse the baby’s hands with another fresh, warm, wet towel.
• Dry the hands well.

Reviewed by the Public Education Subcommittee

Updated: August 2007