Good hand washing habits start from young.
<div class="ExternalClass26BFE97773B4491D889CC8404D3BD663"><h1>What is the proper way to wash hands?</h1><p>Children love playing, exploring and touching new things. They will touch their faces, rub their eyes or put their hands into their mouths. Their immune system is less developed as compared to adults, and they may fall sick frequently from
<a target="_blank" title="infectious diseases" href="https://www.healthhub.sg/a-z/diseases-and-conditions/110/topic_infectious_diseases">infectious diseases</a>. Thus, it is important for you to teach your child good personal hygiene such as hand washing. </p><p>Proper hand washing is the first line of defence against the spread of germs that will lead to various infections and diseases. The simple act of washing hands with soap and water for 30 seconds reduces germ count up to 99 per cent. </p><p>
<strong>Related: <a title="Keep Those Little Hands Clean" href="https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/490/keepthoselittlehandsclean">Keep Those Little Hands Clean</a> </strong></p><h2>
<strong>Encourage your child to wash his hands</strong></h2>
<strong> </strong>
<p></p><ul><li>
<strong> </strong><span style="line-height:1.6;">before and after eating</span>
</li><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">before and after helping out in the kitchen</span>
</li><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">after using the toilet</span>
</li><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">after sneezing, blowing his nose and coughing </span>
</li><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">after playing outdoors </span>
</li><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">after touching common surfaces such as lift button</span><span style="line-height:1.6;">s, door knobs and table-tops</span>
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<span style="line-height:1.6;">after touching pets/animals</span>
</li><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">upon leaving 'high risk' places such </span><span style="line-height:1.6;">a</span><span style="line-height:1.6;">s the doctor’s clinic, play gyms and other play areas</span>
</li><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">after touching dirty items such as rubbish</span>
</li></ul><p></p><p>
<strong> </strong><span style="line-height:1.6;">Remember to model good hand washing behaviour to your child from young so that he will carry this healthy habit through to adulthood. He will be more willing to do it if he sees you doing it as well. Just 30 seconds of hand washing could make a difference to your health, and the health of your little one! </span></p><p>
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<strong>Related: </strong><a title="Why are Clean Hands Important for Children" href="https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/625/whycleanhandsareimportant"><strong>Why are Clean Hands Important for Children</strong></a><strong> </strong></p><h2>
<strong>Other useful household hygiene tips</strong></h2><h3>
<strong>Potty </strong></h3><ul>
<strong></strong>
<span style="color:#444444;">
<li>
<strong> </strong><span style="line-height:1.6;">keep the potty in the toilet (not in the bedroom or living area)</span></li>
<li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;color:#444444;">keep the potty away from your child when not in use</span></li>
<li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">flush the contents down the toilet bowl, wash and disinfect the potty immediately after each use</span>
</li></span></ul><h3>
<strong>Toys </strong></h3><ul><li>
<strong> </strong><span style="line-height:1.6;">buy washable toys. </span></li><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">wash (with warm, soapy water) and disinfect toys regularly, especially if your child likes to put them into his/her mouth.</span>
</li></ul><h2>
<strong>"Washy Washy Clean" Song</strong>
</h2><p>(sing to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”)
</p><p>Children are more open to hand washing if you make it fun. Get your child to wash his hands to this jingle!</p><p>
<strong> </strong><img src="/sites/assets/Assets/Categories/HPB%20Book%20-%20Healthy%20Start%20for%20your%20Baby/HPB%20Baby%20-%20Washy%20clean%20-%20Step%201%20to%208.PNG" alt="" style="margin:5px;" /><strong> </strong>
</p><ol><li>
<strong> </strong><span style="line-height:1.6;">We s</span><span style="line-height:1.6;">tart with washing palm to</span><span style="line-height:1.6;"> palm” </span></li><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;"></span>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">“Between each finger let us rub” </span></li><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">“Now the back of the hands, it’s such a simple plan. We washy washy clean, scrub scrub.” </span></li><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">“Clean the base of the thumbs one by one” </span></li><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">“Then the back of the fingers, this is fun!” </span></li><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">“Don’t forget your fingernails, it’s about details. We washy washy clean, scrub scrub." </span></li><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">“Now move on to the wrists, let us rub. I think we’re nearly done, so now what?" </span></li><li>
<span style="line-height:1.6;">“Just rinse the soap away, dry our hands and we’re ok. We washy washy clean, scrub scrub.” </span></li></ol><p> Chorus:
</p><p>“So we washy washy clean, </p><p>scrub scrub </p><p>We washy washy clean, scrub scrub </p><p>It’s fun to wash your hands and I </p><p>know you’ll understand </p><p>We washy washy clean, scrub scrub!”
</p><h2>
<strong>Healthy lifestyle</strong></h2><p>
<strong> </strong><span style="line-height:1.6;">Apart from hand washing, having a healthy lifestyle (healthy diet and regular exercise) is also important to strengthen one's immune system to fight against infectious diseases. </span>
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<p>
<strong>Read these next:</strong></p>
<strong>
<ul><li>
<a title="FIGHT The Spread of Infectious Diseases" href="https://www.healthhub.sg/programmes/52/Fight_The_Spread">FIGHT The Spread of Infectious Diseases</a></li><li>
<a title="Children See, Children Do" href="https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1261/growing-kid-children-see-children-do">Children See, Children Do</a></li><li><a title="Raising a Resilient Child" href="https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1284/growing-kid-raising-a-resilient-child">Raising a Resilient Child</a></li> </ul></strong> </div>
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
CEJ-HPB-Baby,
No
1252
Monday, January 29, 2018
<div class="ExternalClassA318562EAD924B8098B4452F01AA643E"><p>Health Promotion Board
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Singapore 168937</p></div>
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HPB implements programmes that reach out to the population, specifically children, adults and the elderly. These programmes include health and dental services for school children, BreastScreen Singapore, AIDS Education Programme, CervicalScreen Singapore, Childhood Injury Prevention Programme, Mental Health Education Programme, National Myopia Prevention Programme, Physical Activity, National Smoking Control Programme, Nutrition Programme, Osteoporosis Education Programme, Workplace Health Promotion Programme, HPB Online, HealthLine, Health Information Centre and HealthZone. New programmes will also be initiated over time to address health concerns among the community.</div>
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