IT’S IN YOUR HANDS

Are you a thorough hand washer? Or a dribble under the tap and run type?

If you could see the germs on your hands you’d probably spend far more time washing them. Blood, raw meat and body fluids all stay around if you don’t do the whole hand washing thing properly says district nurse Kat Brownlie.

“You wouldn’t intentionally give someone food poisoning, flu or diarrhoea, yet if you don’t wash your hands there’s a chance you might. It’s an invisible risk.”

What is proper hand washing? Kat who leads the team of nurses from Everton Health Centre in Liverpool says soap and water is the way to go. “Antibacterial gel is only effective on clean hands, washing is the only sure way to kill bacteria. And you should moisturise to stop your hands from cracking.”

HERE’S OUR ‘HANDY’ GUIDE:

• spend at least 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice)

• wet your hands with water and apply enough soap to cover them

• rub your hands together. Use one hand to rub the back of the other and clean in between your fingers. Rub the back of your fingers against your palms

• rub your thumbs using your other hand

• rub the tips of your fingers on the palm of each hand

• rinse your hands with water and dry with a disposable towel. Use the towel to turn off the tap.

You should wash your hands:

• after using the toilet or changing a nappy

• before and after handling raw foods like meat and vegetables (spinach is a particular culprit)

• 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 cages.

IT MAY BE WINTER OUTSIDE...

but there are ways you can feel like spring is (hopefully) not too far away.

• Wind down your car windows when you’re travelling

• Have a pedicure ready for flip flop time!

• Open your bedroom window (make sure you don’t leave it open while you’re out!)

• Wear lighter colours – whites, creams

• Where flowers bloom so does hope – buy a bunch of tulips or a bowl of hyacinths.