READER’S DIGEST
Y
ou’ve heard the advice since
you were young – wash your
hands to avoid getting sick.
Hand sanitisers are making
it easier to keep our hands clean,
especially when we’re travelling.
Here are some points to remember
when choosing a hand sanitiser,
which are available in the form of a
gel, cream or foam as well as wipes.
ARE ALL HAND SANITISERS
THE SAME? According to experts,
it’s important to use a hand sanitiser
that contains at least 60 per cent
alcohol. This type of sanitiser not
onlyismoreeffectiveatkilling
germs,butnon-alcohol-based
sanitiserscanpotentiallybeharmful
andcancausegermstodevelop
resistancetosanitising.
DOTHEYPREVENTILLNESS?
Remembertousesufficientsanitiser,
to rub it over all surfaces of your
hands including between the fingers,
and to let the product dry. Also, don’t
wipe your hands or rinse them after
applying. When used correctly,
alcohol-based hand sanitisers kill at
least 99.9 per cent of viruses, fungi
and bacteria. So after you touch
that public stair railing, using hand
sanitiser can help you avoid a cold
or flu virus.
WHICH IS MORE EFFECTIVE
- A HAND SANITISER OR SOAP
AND WATER? Health authorities
say the simplest way to prevent the
spreadofinfectionsistoregularly
washyourhandsthroughlywithsoap
andhotwaterforatleast 30 seconds.
Rinsewellanddryyourhandswith
a cleantowelorhotairdryer.If soap
andwaterisnotaccessible,trytouse
a handsanitisertoremovepotential
harmfulgerms.
What to
Know About
Hand
Sanitisers
BY Erica Young
PHOTO: GET T Y IMAGES
22 august 2019