Hand Washing

When to Wash Your Hands

There are specific times when you need to clean your hands. Knowing when to wash is especially important to help you avoid spreading germs to and from your child.

Here is a list of times when it is recommended to wash or sanitize your hands.

Before, during, and after preparing food	After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
Before eating food	After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
Before and after caring for someone who is slick	After touching an animal (pet or wild), animal food or treats, or animal waste
Before and after treating a cut or wound	After using the toilet
Before touching your own face	After touching garbage
Before handling any object that will go on or inside your child	After touching money, credit cards, cell phones, or computers (especially public computers)
Before giving your child any medications	After touching stairway railings, door handles, elevator buttons, or any other public surface

Tip

It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to hand hygiene—you can never wash too much!