Health Services > Statewide and Community Health Services > Population Health Branch

Role of the community in hygiene

Individuals and households in the community must be responsible for ensuring good hygiene in their homes and their daily habits.

In most cases, good hygiene depends on taking basic measures such as:

washing hands before handling or eating food
washing hands after going to the toilet or touching animals
having a shower, wash or bath every day
keeping homes clean, especially kitchens, toilets and bathrooms, by sweeping and mopping floors, cleaning benches and removing dust and dirt from inside the house
taking care when cooking and serving family meals
keeping their yards and the areas where their animals live clean
storing food so that it stays fresh
washing cutlery and crockery properly after each use and keeping these items in clean storage
washing clothes and linen (sheets, pillow cases, towels) properly and regularly
keeping animals out of the house
keeping homes free from pests and vermin (cockroaches and rats).

Councils and EHWs play a vital role in getting information to people, and in monitoring the health of the community. However, community members need to practice good hygiene and encourage others to do the same. Parents have a special responsibility to keep their homes clean and healthy and to teach their children good hygiene habits.

A poster with wording Keeping small sores clean and covered is very important. Stop germs spreading.

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Last Updated: 15 December 2008
Last Reviewed: 15 December 2008

EHWORM

Role of the community in hygiene