1. Before preparing food: Washing your hands before you start cooking or handling any food helps prevent the spread of germs from your hands to the food, which could make you or others sick.
2. After using the restroom: This is a critical time to wash your hands because restrooms can harbor a lot of germs, including bacteria and viruses that can cause illness.
3. After coughing or sneezing: Germs are easily spread through respiratory droplets when you cough or sneeze. Washing your hands afterwards helps prevent those germs from spreading to surfaces you touch or to other people.
4. After touching surfaces in public places: Think about doorknobs, handles, shopping carts, or shared keyboards. These surfaces are touched by many people and can be covered in germs. Washing your hands after touching them can significantly reduce your risk of picking up an illness.