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As society negotiates its way out of lockdown and quarantine, one of the ways that we are being advised to stay safe is to wear face masks. Whether you have decided to wear a disposable surgical or cloth face mask, it is important to know how to use one properly. So here is how to safely wear a face mask.
*This is a collaborative post – for more details please see my Disclosure Policy
How To Safely Wear A Face Mask
Face masks can be useful. They may really help prevent the spread of infection. But only if we all know how to correctly and properly wear one. I make my own masks, but you can also buy them from many places, including scientific equipment stockists such as SciQuip.
This following guide also applies to any facial covering you may be using, such as a scarf or bandana. A face covering is only protection if we use it properly, and improper use of a face mask is worse than not having one at all.
Wash Your Hands
Before putting the mask on, wash your hands for at least 30 seconds with hot water and soap. If these are not available use hand gel.
Place Mask On Face
Place mask to cover mouth nose and chin. Pull loop straps behind ears, or tie behind head if strap variety. The coloured side of a single use mask should face outwards.
Get a close cover of the mask over your nose – aim for no gaps between your face and the mask. If there is a piece of metal to shape the nose, pinch this to mould it closely to your face. Adjustable ear loops on your mask are best for keeping the mask as tight as possible without the mask being uncomfortable.
Wear The Mask Without Touching It
Avoid touching the mask whist wearing it. Do not touch your face or adjust the mask. Yes, they are hard to get used to, but imagine that the front of that mask is contaminated with faeces. You do not want to touch the front of it!
Whilst wearing the mask, do not think that it makes you invulnerable. In fact, it is best to keep on acting like you haven’t got the mask on at all. Keep yourself safe by staying a safe social distance from others, and avoiding unnecessary exposure to potential infection.
Replace the mask if it becomes damp, by following the procedure for removing the mask, then starting back at the beginning.
Removing The Mask
Once you have finished wearing the mask, wash your hands before removing it. Or use hand gel if no soap and water is available.
Remove the mask by using the ear loops or ties. Do not touch the front of the mask.
Dispose of paper masks in a closed bin. Then wash your hands again.
Do not reuse single use masks!
Put cloth masks in a closed container for washing. Do not shake potentially infected items of clothing or masks. Wash cloth masks on a high temperature as soon as possible. And wash hands after handling cloth masks, or potentially infected clothing.
I hope that this has been useful. Need to know how to make masks? See my post here.
Will you be wearing a mask? I would love to know what your thoughts are. Contact me using the comments below, or find me on social media.
And please do pin this post for later.
This is great information!!
Thank you Michelle.
Very useful Jo, if we have to start wearing them I wonder if sellers will start bumping up the price! I bought some ages ago and they are like tissue paper and there isn’t any metal in it around the nose area. I don’t think they would be of any use.
I have started making and wearing the Olsen mask from my post on making medical supplies.. They are easy to make, and feel comfortable.
Good info and great photos too! #MMBC
This is really useful, thank you. We’ve just bought some so I read it at the right time.
I’m a nurse and we wear one paper one all day unless dealing with infected residents. At home I have ordered cloth ones so we can wash and reuse. This is a helpful guide, thank you.
This is a useful article. I saw a lot of people touching the shopping cart, then scratching their noses, putting on their masks again. I don’t understand why they still wore it if they didn’t follow the hygiene rules.
I have just bought a fabric mask so this was really useful for me as a mask newbie thank you.
This is so useful. Thank you.
I wouldn’t have had a clue!
Thank you for this 🙂
This is really helpful! I watched a lady the other day who kept touching her mask with and without her gloves and I thought what’s the point in wearing them as you’ve just transferred germs anyway!! A lot of people could benefit from this post because they don’t seem to be using their masks correctly.
Oh I actually have to get some for ourselves soon. This is useful, thank you.
I am going to make some for us to wear, but useful information, thank you