Reader\'s Digest Australia - 08.2019

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

only is more effective at killing

germs, but non-alcohol-based

sanitisers can potentially be harmful

and can cause germs to develop

resistance to sanitising.

DO THEY PREVENT ILLNESS?

Remember to use sufficient sanitiser,

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
  spread of infections is to regularly
  wash your hands throughly with soap
  and hot water for at least 30 seconds.
  Rinse well and dry your hands with
  a clean towel or hot air dryer. If soap
  and water is not accessible, try to use
  a hand sanitiser to remove potential
  harmful germs.

What to

Know About

Hand

Sanitisers

BY Erica Young

PHOTO: GET T Y IMAGES

22 august 2019