Rhode Island Department of Health

R.I. Department of Health and R.I. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Joint Policy on Hand Sanitization  

Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. It is best to wash your hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds.  However, if soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based product to clean your hands. Alcohol-based hand rubs significantly reduce the number of germs on skin and are fast acting.

When washing hands with soap and water:

• Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap. Use warm water if it is available.
• Rub hands together to make a lather and scrub all surfaces, including the fingers.
• Continue rubbing hands for 20 seconds. Need a timer? Imagine singing "Happy Birthday" twice through to a friend!
• Rinse hands well under running water
• Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet

Remember: If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based gel to clean hands.

When using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer:

• Apply product to the palm of one hand
• Rub hands together
• Rub the product over all surfaces of hands and fingers until hands are dry.

When should you wash your hands?

• Before preparing or eating food
• After going to the bathroom
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has gone to the bathroom
• Before and after tending to someone who is sick
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After handling an animal or animal waste
• After handling garbage
• Before and after treating a cut or wound

In order to minimize the spread of infectious diseases among our schoolchildren, the HEALTH Director and the Commissioner of Education mandate that as soon as possible hand-sanitizing gel and appropriate dispensers be placed in every classroom and all other rooms in which students may congregate, such as libraries and lunchrooms, in all public and nonpublic schools in Rhode Island.

Effective: January 8, 2007

David R. Gifford, M.D., MPH, Director
Peter McWalters, Commissioner