We've all heard people say 'I won't kiss you, I've got a cold'. But a report recently published warns that we may be far more at risk of passing on an infection by shaking someones hand than in sharing a kiss.

A group of hygiene experts said that, if we want to avoid catching the flu or tummy bugs, or protect ourselves and others from organisms such as MRSA, salmonella or C. difficile, then we have to start in our own homes, by paying greater attention to good hand hygiene.

They also warn that, in the event of a flu pandemic, good hand hygiene will be the first line of defense during the early critical period before mass vaccination becomes available.

Good hygiene at home prevents organisms from spreading from one family member to another. And reducing the number of carriers in the community which reduces the likelihood of infections being carried into health care facilities by new patients and visitors.

Good hygiene at home also means fewer infections, which means fewer patients demanding antibiotics, and fewer resistant strains developing and circulating in the community.

Breaking the chain of infection from one person to another all depends on how well we wash our hands. If we don't do it properly, washing with soap and rinsing under running water, then we might as well not do it at all.

The report also warns that good hygiene isn't just about washing our hands. Although the hands are the main superhighway for the spread of germs – because they are the 'last line of defense', surfaces from which the hands become contaminated, such as food contact surfaces, door handles, tap handles, toilet seats and cleaning cloths also need regular hygienic cleaning. Clothing and linens, baths, basin and toilet surfaces can also play a part in spreading germs between family members in the home.