Wash your way to a healthy Christmas

PEOPLE in Leicester are being advised that handwashing is the key to keeping bugs at bay over the festive season. National Handwashing Awareness Week runs until Saturday December 12 and NHS Leicester City is urging people to wash their hands of bugs this winter.

Seasonal flu and swine flu continue to circulate in the community and good hand hygiene is essential in protecting people and reducing the risk of them spreading infections to more vulnerable groups.

Karen Smith, senior matron of patient safety, infection prevention and control at NHS Leicester City, said: “Nobody wants to be ill over the holiday period. Be thorough and wash the front and backs of the hands, in between fingers and under nails after visiting the bathroom. Washing hands before and after preparing food will help prevent the spread of coughs, colds and tummy bugs.

“Washing your hands properly could make all the difference when it comes to enjoying a healthy and happy Christmas.”

Some people with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and asthma cannot fight off infection as easily as others. Good hand hygiene can help reduce the risks of getting an infection for these vulnerable groups of people.

Here are our handy tips for keeping bugs at bay this Christmas:

• Wet: Wetting hands before applying soap minimises irritation of the skin
• Soap: Always apply liquid soap to wet hands
• Wash: Wash hands vigorously, rub hands together, clean between each finger and the thumbs and under the nails
• Rinse: Rinse hands thoroughly with clean running water
• Dry: Germs spread more easily if hands are wet so make sure hands are dried thoroughly

For interviews or more information please contact: press officer Liz Mattock on 0116 295 4123 or liz.mattock@leicestercity.nhs.uk

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