49% of the North West ‘too busy’ to wash their hands

Wash hands thoroughly and regularly at all times, but particularly after using the toilet and before eating

More than half of the North West (56%) think there should be more measures in place to control infection.

The research was conducted by Sterillo the world’s most hygienic hand dryer. More than a third (35%) in the region worried if they got sick that treatment from the NHS wouldn’t be available.

Despite these concerns four in ten (41%) in the North West admitted that they have gone to work when they have been ill and possibly contagious.

Handwashing correctly is another problem.

Despite 75% of respondents saying they had been shown how to wash their hands properly, 57% do not wash them for 20 seconds or more - the minimum amount of time required to clean hands effectively to avoid spreading germs.

Alarmingly, almost half (49%) admitted they sometimes forget, or are too busy to wash their hands after they go to the toilet!

A lack of education is also exacerbating the problem. Almost two thirds (62%) of those surveyed did not know that if someone coughs or sneezes the highly contagious flu virus can remain on surfaces for 24 hours.

This may be why more than half (63%) would like to see better hygiene education in schools, while 55% said there should be campaigns on effective hand washing. More than half (55%) would welcome the implementation of a washroom hygiene standard, as well as workplace policies to keep viruses at home.

Eight in ten (65%) were aware that public washrooms are a likely place to pick up a virus. Whilst a whopping 77% correctly believed an unclean washroom was an even more likely place to catch the flu. Smelly toilets, most believed (78%) indicated they were also dirty.

Despite this awareness of bad smells and unclean conditions being signs of harbouring illnesses, more than a third (34%) said they are less likely to wash their hands in an unclean public washroom.

Steve Levy, Inventor of the Sterillo says: “Effective handwashing can’t be achieved in an unclean environment, even if the public did always use these facilities to wash their hands they would likely still be contaminated.

"This is why we are seeing outbreaks with viruses like flu and even worse the Aussie Flu.

"We need a hygiene standard in place to assist with infection control. The Sterillo uses technology to kill bad smells, viruses and germs in public washrooms. Improving public washroom conditions would not only encourage the public to wash their hands but also kill the pathogens present.”