Before:
* Eating: Always wash your hands before preparing food, before eating, and after handling raw meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs.
* Touching your face: Hands carry germs that can easily transfer to your eyes, nose, and mouth, increasing the risk of infection.
* Treating a wound: Clean hands prevent contamination of any cuts or scrapes.
* Contacting someone who is sick: Washing your hands after contact with someone who is ill helps to prevent the spread of germs.
After:
* Using the bathroom: This is essential to remove bacteria from your hands.
* Blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing: Germs are easily spread through respiratory droplets.
* Touching animals: Pets can carry germs, so washing your hands is important.
* Handling garbage or dirty laundry: These items can be contaminated with germs.
* Being in public places: Touching surfaces in public areas, like door handles, escalator handrails, or ATMs, can expose you to germs.
Other times:
* Before and after preparing food: It's crucial to wash your hands thoroughly before handling any food and after touching raw meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs.
* Before and after providing care for someone who is sick: Washing your hands frequently helps to prevent the spread of germs and infection.
* After changing a diaper: Diapers can be contaminated with germs, so washing your hands is crucial.
* Before and after gardening or working with soil: Soil can contain harmful bacteria, so washing your hands is important.
In general, it's a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially if they are visibly dirty. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.