1. Wash Your Hands Regularly

Handwashing is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to prevent illness. Always wash your hands:

• Before eating or preparing food
• After using the bathroom 
• After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose 
• After touching garbage or animals Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap is unavailable

2. Brush and Floss Your Teeth Twice a Day

Oral hygiene is directly linked to overall health. Poor oral care can lead to gum infections, bad breath, and even heart disease. Brush in the morning and before bed, and floss daily to remove trapped food particles and plaque.

3. Bathe or Shower Daily

Regular bathing removes dirt, sweat, and bacteria from your body. It also helps prevent body odor, skin infections, and fungal issues. Use a mild soap and ensure you wash all areas, especially underarms, groin, and feet.

4. Trim Nails and Keep Them Clean

Dirty nails can harbor germs that lead to infections, especially when you eat with your hands or touch your eyes and mouth. Keep nails short and clean, and avoid biting them.

5. Change Clothes Daily and Wear Clean Underwear

Clothing can collect sweat, bacteria, and allergens. Wearing fresh clothes, especially undergarments and socks, reduces the risk of skin infections and unpleasant odors.

6. Keep Your Living Space Clean

A clean home environment supports good hygiene. Regularly sweep and mop floors, wipe surfaces, and keep the kitchen and bathroom sanitized. Change bed sheets and towels weekly.

7. Practice Safe Food Hygiene

Wash fruits and vegetables before eating, cook meat thoroughly, and store leftovers properly. Foodborne illnesses like diarrhea and typhoid are common in unhygienic kitchens.

8. Cover Your Mouth and Nose When You Cough or Sneeze

Use a tissue or your elbow – not your hands – to prevent spreading germs. Dispose of tissues immediately and wash your hands afterward.

9. Maintain Menstrual Hygiene

For women and girls, using clean, safe menstrual products and changing them regularly is essential to prevent infections. Never flush sanitary products down the toilet.

10. Educate Children About Hygiene

Teach kids from a young age about the importance of cleanliness. Make handwashing fun and part of their routine, especially after playing, eating, or using the toilet.

Conclusion

Hygiene is not just about looking clean – it’s about being healthy. By adopting these simple daily habits, you can significantly reduce the risk of infections and diseases in your home. At Al Baseer Trust Hospital, we encourage all families to take hygiene seriously. Prevention is better than cure, and it starts with your everyday choices. Visit us for more health education and affordable care.