LYSOL® Encourages Healthy Habits In Schools

LYSOL Blue Ribbon School Attendance Challenge Aims to Help Reduce 22 Million School Days Missed Annually Due to Illness

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Sep 30, 2010, 08:00 ET

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 22 million school days are lost each year due to the common cold alone(1). In addition, a recent survey among U.S. moms revealed that almost half take off from work to look after their child when he or she has a minor illness(2). One in four moms say that having to take time off from work creates additional stress and pressure to catch up on work after hours. That is why today LYSOL announced a new program, the LYSOL Blue Ribbon School Attendance Challenge.

This program is a new initiative to help build healthier communities as part of the Lysol Mission for Health. LYSOL will be rewarding participating schools with $75,000 in total available prizes. The program is designed to motivate students to strive for better health and improved attendance. The program handbook, developed in conjunction with pediatrician Dr. Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P., includes curriculums for grades K-5, as well as send-home materials for families. Each set of materials is designed to help parents and teachers reduce absenteeism and reinforce healthier habits at school and at home.

There are three exciting programs in which all U.S. elementary schools can participate, including:

Blue Ribbon School Attendance Challenge: LYSOL is rewarding participating schools that demonstrate the best attendance rate and parent participation. School leaders can enter online where they can access information and lesson plans to compete for prize money.
LYSOL Hand Washing Song Contest: Teachers and students are invited to create a special "hand washing song" and submit their entry online for a chance to win. A total of $12,500 in prizes is available.
My Healthy Hero Contest: For the chance to win cash prizes, as well as new books for their school, students are invited to nominate their "Healthy Hero" – someone who promotes good health or inspires healthy habits. Online entries include drawings or essays about their Healthy Hero.

"Helping kids stay healthy helps ensure that they are able to go to school and learn, instead of staying home sick. That said, teaching a child about healthy habits tends to be much more effective when it's done as a team effort between parents and teachers," said Dr. Laura Jana, M.D. "Making these learning activities fun encourages children to incorporate healthier hygiene habits, such as hand washing, into their daily routines – both at home and at school."

According to the recent survey among U.S. moms, nearly 75 percent felt that the majority of infections their children get are from germs picked up from daycare or school(3). Education about healthy habits, as well as small contributions to your child's classroom, such as donating disinfecting products to your child's school, can go a long way. In fact, CDC recommends placing disinfecting wipes in classrooms and encouraging students and staff to wipe down frequently-touched surfaces and objects before each use.(4)

For more information about the LYSOL Blue Ribbon School Attendance Challenge and the Lysol Mission for Health, visit www.lysol.com/missionforhealth/schools.

About LYSOL® / Reckitt Benckiser, Inc.

Reckitt Benckiser is the world leader in household cleaning, (excluding laundry) and has a major presence in health and personal care. The Company is truly global, with over 60 operating companies and over 40 manufacturing facilities worldwide. With sales in 180 countries, the Company employs 22,000 people around the world. Among the Company's leading brands in household are Lysol, the world leader in disinfecting cleaning; Calgonit, Finish and Electrasol; the world leaders in automatic dishwashing; Woolite, world leader in fine fabrics; Vanish and Spray 'n Wash, world leaders in fabric treatment; Mucinex and Delsym, leaders in U.S. cold and cough; and Airwick and Mortein, both leading brands in air care and pest control, respectively. Reckitt Benckiser is headquartered in Slough just outside London and is listed on the London stock exchange. Its North American headquarters is in Parsippany, New Jersey, which is 30 miles West of New York City. With a market capitalization of $40 billion, Reckitt Benckiser ranks among the top 25 UK listed companies. Reckitt Benckiser has annual net revenues of $10 billion.

(1) http://www.cdc.gov/germstopper/home_work_school.htm

(2) Based on research conducted by Tonic Life Communications, October 2010

(3) Based on research conducted by Tonic Life Communications, October 2010

(4) http://www.flu.gov/professional/school/cleaning.html