Belfast Nurse Washes Hands of Royalties

March 9th 2020 - Press Release

An infection control expert from Belfast has re-published a book he wrote to teach children how to wash their hands properly.

And for four days this week (March 2020), Eamon Nancarrow’s The Clean Hand Book will be free to download on Amazon Kindle.

By the end of the week he hopes as many teachers, GPs and parents as possible will have a copy.

The book has been praised for its ability to deliver preventative measures in four stories for adults to read to children.

Each tale is in a different setting and shows when and how youngsters can do their bit to stop the spread of infections.

And because it is for adults to read out loud – they will learn too.

With COVID-19 spreading, official advice includes regular hand-washing so the publication has never been more important.

Since the outbreak, the authorities have been advising people to wash their hands for a minimum of 20 seconds.

Various songs to sing while doing this have been proposed, including a double rendition of Happy Birthday.

The book is normally available as a download from Amazon for a cost of just £2.99 and will be free from Monday 9th March (for a week).

Eamon began his nursing career in Northern Irish surgical wards and became interested in post-operative infections, subsequently completing a Master’s degree in infection control.

He said: “From time immemorial we have taught things through myths, legends and stories.

“This book contains stories that hopefully encourage children – and their parents – to wash their hands appropriately and to wash them correctly.

“The stories are set in the home, school, hospital and petting farm.

“They are designed to be fun and memorable, while being read to children, some of whom will become health care professionals and the food handlers of the future.

“If they get into good hand-washing habits when they are young it will serve them and everybody else well for the future.

“Tips include wetting hands before adding soap, using disposable towels rather than re-usable ones and also using a pedal bin where possible.

“If hands are visibly dirty then you should use soap and water and if they are visibly clean then gels can be used.

“Hand-washing is the most basic way of practising good hygiene and the more often people do it, and the better they do it, the fewer viruses and bacteria will spread.”

The book was available for free from Monday 9th March 2020.