How To Wash Your Hands - Fairfax County, Virginia

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Your Health is in Your Hands: WASH

How to wash your hands.

Washing hands frequently significantly reduces the spread of diseases like pink-eye and hepatitis A; gastro-intestinal illnesses like norovirus and salmonella; and respiratory illnesses like the flu and whooping cough.Studies have shown that hand washing education programs can reduce these illnesses in communities by up to 50 percent.

How to Wash your hands in 6 easy steps

Step 1 handwashing

1-Start with warm or hot water.

Step 2 handwashing

2-Use soap and make a lather.

Step 3 handwashing

3-Rub and scrub thoroughly for 20 seconds.

Step 4 handwashing

4-Scrub palms, back of hands, between fingers and under fingernails.

Step 5 handwashing

5-Rinse well and use another paper towel to shut off faucet.

Step 6 handwash

6-Dry Hands completely

Public Education Materials

Hand wash instruction sign (PDF) - English
Hand wash instruction sign (PDF) - Chinese
Hand wash instruction sign (PDF) - Korean
Hand wash instruction sign (PDF) - Spanish
Hand wash instruction sign (PDF) - Vietnamese

Brochure - "Wash Your Hands to Stop the Spread of Germs and Prevent Disease" (PDF) (english only)