Why Hand Hygiene Is Essential During Flu Season
Every year, flu season brings sniffles, fevers, and missed workdays. While vaccines and healthy habits are vital, one of the simplest—and most overlooked—ways to protect your staff, customers, and visitors is proper hand hygiene.
Here are just a few thoughts from the Tulip Healthcare team.
Why It Matters
The NHS warns that the UK faces a prolonged flu season, with cases rising early and many vulnerable people still unvaccinated. Washing hands with soap for at least 20 seconds remains one of the most effective ways to stop the spread. Flu viruses travel easily through droplets from coughs, sneezes, or even conversation, landing on surfaces like doorknobs and phones. Touching these surfaces and then your face gives the virus a direct route into your body.
Regular handwashing breaks this chain of transmission, reducing illness and protecting others
The Science Behind It
Soap molecules lift dirt, oils, and germs from your skin, and rinsing sends them down the drain. If soap and water aren’t available, an alcohol-based sanitiser (minimum 60% alcohol) is a good alternative.
When to Wash
Wash your hands often, especially:
- After caring for someone who is ill.
- After coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose
- Before eating or preparing food
- After using the toilet
- After touching shared surfaces in public places
How to Wash Effectively
- Wet hands with clean, running water.
- Apply soap and lather well, including backs of hands and between fingers.
- Scrub for at least 20 seconds (hum “Happy Birthday” twice).
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Dry with a clean towel or hand dryer.
Tip: Damp hands spread more germs than dry ones, so drying is essential.
Beyond Handwashing: Air Sterilisers
Adding air sterilisers like AIRsteril in washrooms can further reduce flu transmission indoors. These devices use UV light, ozone, and plasma to neutralise airborne and surface pathogens, including influenza strains—certified by UK Health Protection Agency labs.
Protecting Everyone
Good hand hygiene isn’t just about you—it safeguards co-workers, customers, and vulnerable groups like children, older adults, and those with weakened immunity.
A Simple Habit with Big Impact
Hand hygiene is quick, easy, and cost-effective. By providing soap, working dispensers, hand dryers, and air sterilisers, you help create healthier workplaces and communities—and make flu season easier to manage.
Whatever your hand hygiene needs are for your business, at Tulip Healthcare we will have a solution. Find out more by calling our friendly team on 01472 345 934 or email customercare@tuliphealthcare.co.uk
