HSE urges public to keep clean for Hand Hygiene Day

THE HSE marked the WHO’s Hand Hygiene Day on Saturday in an effort to encourage the public to wash their hands to prevent illnesses.

It said that healthcare workers are trained to follow good hand hygiene practice but it is important for everyone to realise how vital proper hand washing is.

It added that the goal is to find a balance between keeping clean when it’s most important without limiting your enjoyment of life.

Some tips include: “When you have been in contact with a person or an animal with an infection; when you get back to your home from being out and about or at work, especially if your work involves a lot of contact with people or animals; before starting to prepare or handle food; after touching raw meat including poultry; before eating food; and after using the toilet and after changing nappies.”

A spokesperson advised the public to avoid bar and fancy soaps, and cloth towels, as they usually have bugs on them and avoid “antibacterial” soaps as they don’t offer any benefit and may actually increase the risk of resistant germs.