How to wash your hands

Washing your hands is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and others from illnesses such as food poisoning, flu and diarrhoea.

Washing your hands properly removes dirt, viruses and bacteria to prevent them spreading to other people and objects.

Children are especially at risk of picking up infections and spreading them to other people.

For the best handwashing technique visit NHS choices

We should wash our hands:

after using the toilet
after handling raw foods like chicken, meat and vegetables
before eating or handling ready to eat food
after having contact with animals, including pets

It’s also really important to make sure hands are washed when you visit someone in hospital or other healthcare settings, to help stop the spread of infection.