Environmental hygiene and health are closely related. We
all want to live in a clean, hygienic and safe environment.
Hygiene in private and public places are equally important.
Both the users and management of these areas are responsible
for keeping the environment clean. Hong Kong is our home.
We shall all benefit by keeping our home city clean.
Ensure good ventilation.
- Keep windows open to maintain good indoor ventilation.
- Wash dust filters of air-conditioners frequently and check for drips from air conditioners.
- Create a smoke-free environment for work, rest and play.
- Be patient. Avoid overcrowding a place or public facilities e.g. lift, public transportation.
- Exercise crowd management in a crowded situation.
Keep your home clean.
- Wipe furniture and household facilities with a diluted
household bleach solution in the ratio of 1:99 (1 part of
household bleach mixed with 99 parts of water) at least
once a day. Then rinse with water and wipe dry. If any objects
or facilities become soiled, they must be cleaned again.
Bleach is a strong and effective disinfectant suitable for
household use. It effectively kills bacteria, fungus and
viruses. Household bleach is widely available at a low cost
and it works quickly. Therefore, diluted household bleach
solution is recommended for the disinfection of facilities.
- Keep floors/carpets clean. Vacuum-clean floors/carpets
every day and wash/shampoo them regularly.
- Make sure that common facilities such as staircase, lifts,
lobbies, refuse collection chambers, canopies and ventilation
fans are cleaned, disinfected and maintained regularly.
Pay attention to food hygiene.
- Keep the kitchen clean. Wash the exhaust fan and range hood regularly. Store eating utensils in a clean cupboard.
- Store food in covered containers or the refrigerator. To avoid cross contamination, store cooked food in the upper compartment of the refrigerator and raw food in the lower compartment.
- Prepare raw food and cooked food separately, using separate knives and chopping boards for each.
- Leftovers should best be discarded. Otherwise, it should be properly stored in refrigerators (4 C or below) and thoroughly reheated to 75 C or above before being served.
- Maintain cleanliness and proper function of the refrigerator. Clean it once a week.
Do not litter.
- Dispose of refuse such as papers, plastic bottles and metallic cans separately into appropriate collection bins to ease environmental pollution.
- Be considerate. Put litter and cigarette ends in a rubbish bin. Do not spit. Littering in public is an offence and the offender is liable to a fine of HK$600.* Spitting in public is also an offence. First-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of HK$5000.
- Bring your dog to dog parks regularly. Do not let it foul public places. If it does so, clean up its mess and place in a dog excreta collection bin.
Maintain proper functions of toilets, drains and pipes.
- Clean toilets daily with a diluted household bleach solution (1:99). At home, have liquid soap and a clean towel in the toilet for handwashing. For public toilets, liquid soap and disposable towels or hand driers should be made available.
- Pour water into drain outlets regularly to prevent foul air and insects in the sewage pipe from entering the premises.
- Make sure drains and pipes are free from blockage and leakage. Do not alter them without prior authorization.
Prevent pest and rodent infestation.
- To prevent mosquito breeding:
- Change water for flowers and plants at least once a week, and do not leave water in trays or plates underneath the flower pots.
- Fill up uneven ground surfaces to prevent accumulation of stagnant water.
- Spray insecticides into drain outlets of sewage pipes to prevent pest and ant breeding.
- For proper use and storage of insecticides, follow the instructions on the package to avoid excessive inhalation of chemicals and prevent environmental pollution. Wash your hands and face after use.
- Trim shrubs and keep flower beds clean and tidy to prevent rodent infestation.
- Clear up refuse or disused articles at home or in common areas of buildings
- Put rubbish and food remnants into a bin with a well-fitted lid and empty the bin at least once a day. Refuse bags should be tied properly and placed in common refuse collection bins.
- Report rubbish black spots and stagnant water in construction sites by calling the telephone hotline: 2868 0000.
Let's join hands to create a healthy and hygienic environment in Hong Kong!
*The government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has proposed to raise the fixed penalty for spitting and littering.
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