Basic Hygiene Practices
Handout 4 - Module 3 Topic 3 Clean hands with soap and water or ash
Illness can be prevented by washing hands after going to the toilet or
after contact with faeces. Hand washing helps to stop germs from
getting into food or into the mouth. It is especially important to
wash hands after defecating, before handling or eating food, and
after cleaning the bottom of a baby who has defecated.
Children often put their hands into their mouths, so it is
important to clean a child’s hands often, especially before
eating food and after going to the toilet. Dispose of all faeces safely
Prevent the spread of germs by safely disposing of all human and animal faeces. Illnesses,
such as diarrhoea and worms, come from germs found in faeces which can get into water,
food, onto the hands and cooking and eating utensils. All faeces of adults, children and
babies are dangerous and should be disposed of in a toilet or latrine. If there is no toilet,
people should defecate away from the home, walking paths, water sources (such as
rivers) and areas where children play. The faeces can also be buried to stop germs and
flies. Animal faeces is a main breeding place for germs that cause disease, so animals
should be kept away from areas where children play. Animals should also be fenced away
from water supply points so that they do not contaminate the water supply. Food and water safety
Illness can be prevented by taking care with the storage and preparation of food.
The home and areas where food is stored or prepared should be kept clean.
All cooking utensils should be kept clean. Food and water should be stored in clean
containers with lids, so that flies and animals do not spread germs to them. Fly control is
a positive way to prevent the spread of germs. When cooking, make sure that food is
cooked properly before eating. Cooked food should not be eaten if it has been left
unrefridgerated for more than six hours. If the safety of water is not guaranteed, water
for drinking and cooking can be purified or boiled before use. Babies’ feeding utensils
(cup and spoon) should be kept especially clean, as they are one of the ways that
diarrhoeal germs are spread to babies. Other basic hygiene practices that help to stop the spread of disease:- Wash body, clothes and bedding regularly
- Wash hands before preparing food, eating and giving medicines
- Wash hands after changing soiled clothes or bedding
- Avoid spitting as it spreads germs and can spread TB, for example
- Dispose of household waste in a pit latrine or by burying or burning
- Cover bleeding cuts or wounds and avoid contact with the blood of other people
- Wear latex gloves when helping a bleeding person.
(^332) Appendix 1, Handouts Guide to Mobilising and Strengthening Community-Led Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children