We know this is an ABCs for us nannies, but Coronavirus presents an important moment to reinforce a basic message – wash your hands!
How do we do our bit?
While there’s a lot of information (and misinformation) flying round, the one consistent piece of advice that’s cutting through is the importance of washing your hands – big and little!
How to best wash your hands
We’ve scoured the web and we think this information from the good old NHS is very good and easy to follow. It also involves a very familiar song which will help you to get little ones involved.
You should wash your hands for the amount of time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice (around 20 seconds):
Step 1. Wet your hands with water.
Step 2. Apply enough soap to cover your hands.
Step 3. Rub your hands together.
Step 4. Use 1 hand to rub the back of the other hand and clean in between the fingers. Do the same with the other hand.
Step 5. Rub your hands together and clean in between your fingers.
Step 6. Rub the back of your fingers against your palms.
Step 7. Rub your thumb using your other hand. Do the same with the other thumb.
Step 8. Rub the tips of your fingers on the palm of your other hand. Do the same with the other hand.
Step 9. Rinse your hands with water.
Step 10. Dry your hands completely with a disposable towel.
Step 11. Use the disposable towel to turn off the tap.
If you do not have immediate access to soap and water then use alcohol-based hand rub if available.
And here’s the NHS’s ‘How to wash your hands’ film:
When should you wash your hands?
You should wash your hands:
- after using the toilet or changing a nappy
- before and after handling raw foods like meat and vegetables
- before eating or handling food
- after blowing your nose, sneezing or coughing
- before and after treating a cut or wound
- after touching animals, including pets, their food and after cleaning their cages
Washing your hands properly removes dirt, viruses and bacteria to stop them from spreading to other people and objects, which can spread illnesses such as food poisoning, flu or diarrhoea.
It can help stop people from picking up infections and spreading them to others.
It can also help stop spreading infections when you’re visiting someone in a hospital or another healthcare setting.
Thank you NHS
You can read the full NHS article on Washing Your Hands here.
Something for little ones!
If you’re struggling to get little ones to buy into this advice, we’ve added a playful little song about Washing Your Hands to our Spotify playlist!
And here’s a song from our UK Nanny friend, Amanda’s Action Club:
What next?
We hope you find this little reminder about handwashing helpful.
While we all wait to better understand the implications of Coronavirus, let’s do our bit to keep ourselves and our charges as healthy as possible.