Stop Germs Before They Start with Proper Hand Hygiene

Washing hands with soap and water is the most reliable way to remove germs and reduce the risk of illness.

• Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, scrubbing palms, backs of hands, between fingers, and under nails.
• Wash at key moments such as before eating or preparing food, after using the restroom, after coughing or sneezing, after caring for someone who is sick, and before caring for individuals who are immunocompromised.
• When soap and water are not immediately available, use hand sanitizer until proper handwashing is possible.

Protect Public Health and the People Who Matter Most

Clean hands play an important role in protecting those most vulnerable to infection.

• Effective hand hygiene helps protect babies, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.
• Wash hands before feeding a child, helping someone eat, or providing personal care.
• Encourage shared responsibility by reminding one another and ensuring soap, clean water, and drying materials are easy to access.

Support Healthier Workplaces and Communities

Consistent hand hygiene helps reduce the spread of illnesses that can keep people away from school, work, and daily activities.

• Wash hands after touching shared surfaces such as door handles, phones, keyboards, tools, and breakroom items.
• Support better hand hygiene by keeping sinks clear and ready for use, not blocked or repurposed for storage, and placing reminders where handwashing is needed most.

Reduce Risk During Everyday Moments

Many routine activities can introduce germs, making hand hygiene an essential part of daily life.

• Wash hands when returning home and before preparing or handling food, or touching contact lenses.
• After shopping, commuting, or using shared equipment, clean hands as soon as possible.
• Keep hand sanitizer available for on the go moments, then wash with soap and water when it becomes available.

Build a Culture of Care Everywhere, Every Day

Hand hygiene is a simple but powerful act of care for families, coworkers, guests, patients, classmates, and communities around the world.

• Make hand hygiene visible and convenient by placing soap, clean water, and drying supplies or sanitizer in high traffic areas.
• When in doubt, wash hands. Clean hands help protect people everywhere.
  
  

On World Hand Hygiene Day, and every day, small actions can help build a culture of care that supports healthier outcomes for all.