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PRINTABLE | Covid-19: Handwashing steps for young children and teens

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Handwashing has been highlighted as an effective way of preventing infection. (JGIJamie Grill/Getty Images)
Handwashing has been highlighted as an effective way of preventing infection. (JGIJamie Grill/Getty Images)

It's been about three months since the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in South Africa, and we've since all become accustomed to keeping our hands as clean as possible. 

With schools reopening, it's become more important to reinforce safety measures. Here's a look at a few resources teachers can use as visual reminders for young children and teens. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has provided specific steps for washing hands, which are: 

Wet your hands with water; 

1. Apply enough soap to cover all hand surfaces;

2. Rub your hands palm to palm;

3. Right palm over left dorsum (upper surface of the hand) with interlaced fingers, and vice versa; 

4. Palm to palm with fingers interlaced; 

5. Back of fingers to opposing palms with fingers interlocked;

6. Rotational rubbing of left thumb clasped in right palm and vice versa;

7. Rotational rubbing backwards and forwards with clasped fingers of right hand in left palm and vice versa; 

8. Rinse your hand with water;

9. Dry hands thoroughly with a single-use towel;

10. Use towel to turn off the faucet (tap);

11. Your hands are now safe.

Watch the video below (or on YouTube) to see what this looks like: 

Visual guide 

To act as a reminder, teachers (and parents) can print out these charts for visual instructions to their children.

We have made two printable posters available, one for preschool aged children and another for primary and high school pupils. 

Click, download and print. 

For preschoolers: 

preschool


For primary and high school pupils: 

Free handwashing how to poster

For more information and to stay updated visit Family in lockdown: Parent24 has you covered

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