Keeping hands clean (hand hygiene) and covering coughs and sneezes (respiratory etiquette) can prevent the spread of germs, including those which cause flu and COVID-19 as well as other illnesses (e.g. gastrointestinal). These actions are important layers of protection against illness causing germs.
Support children as they follow the recommendations listed below.
- Wash Your Hands Regularly – 15 to 20 seconds with soap and water after going to the bathroom, before eating, sneezing or coughing into our hands
- Use Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer – If soap and water is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60-90% alcohol content. Note that hand sanitizer will not work effectively for visibly dirty hands (for example, muddy or covered with food).
- Sneeze and Cough in the Crook of Your Elbow – Prevent germs from spreading through the air and onto your hands, the two places where they are most easily spread to others. Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or elbow. Throw away any tissues. Always clean your hands after coughing or sneezing.
Resources are available and are linked below.
Resources
- Hand Washing
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- English Hand Washing Poster (PDF)
- French Hand Washing Poster (PDF)
- Other languages
- visit Toronto Public Health's website and select "Hand Washing" for links to the posters in a select number of other languages
- visit the Government of Canada's website for posters in a select number of other languages
- Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizer
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- English Alcohol-based hand sanitizer Poster (PDF)
- French Alcohol-based hand sanitizer Poster (PDF)
- Other languages
- visit Toronto Public Health's website and select "Hand Sanitizing" for links to the posters in a select number of other languages
- Covering Sneezes and Coughs
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- English Cover Cough Poster (PDF)
- French Cover Cough Poster (PDF)
- Other languages
- visit Toronto Public Health's website and select "Cover Your Cough" for links to the posters in a select number of other languages
- Stop Spread of Germs
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- Stop the Spread of Germs (English - PDF)
- Resources for Parents and Teachers
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- Classroom poster to promote hand washing (English - PDF)
- Classroom poster to promote hand washing(French - PDF)
- Hand Hygiene Colouring Pages (PDF)
For Further Information
Call the Infectious Disease Program: (807) 625-5900
or toll-free 1-888-294-6630