Preventing Infections

Everyday actions like washing your hands, cleaning surfaces, staying home when sick, and getting vaccinated help stop the spread of diseases. These simple steps protect not only you, but also your family, friends, and community, especially those who are more vulnerable to illness. By practicing good prevention, we can all play a role in keeping our community healthy and safe.

How to Prevent Infections

Clean Your Hands

Washing your hands is one of the easiest ways to stay healthy and protect others from getting sick. Even if your hands look clean, they can carry diseases that spread when you touch your face, food, other people, or shared surfaces. Washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds removes these germs. If soap and water aren’t available, use a hand sanitizer with 60–90% alcohol, but remember it doesn’t work well if your hands are visibly dirty. Washing your hands stops germs from spreading and keeps everyone healthier.

You should clean your hands:

after using the washroom or changing diapers
after shaking hands
after touching animals
after touching shared objects
before preparing or eating food

Clean Surfaces

Wipe and disinfect surfaces that are touched often, like doorknobs, keyboards, counters, and sink taps.

Cover Your Cough

Cough or sneeze into a tissue, then throw it out. If you don’t have a tissue, use your sleeve, not your hands, and always wash or sanitize your hands after coughing or sneezing.

Stay Home When Sick

If you’re sick, stay home from work, school, or public places to avoid spreading disease.

Return only when you’ve been free of symptoms for at least 24 hours.
If you had vomiting or diarrhea, wait 48 hours before preparing food for others.

Handle Food Safely

Germs you can’t see can cause food poisoning. Wash your hands, cook food well, and avoid cross-contamination. Learn more about safe food handling today.

Get Immunized

Vaccines (immunizations) are one of the best ways to prevent infections. They protect you, your family, and your community. Talk to your healthcare provider or a public health nurse about which immunizations (vaccines) you need.