The CDC and Lysol Partner to Educate Kids About How to Help Protect Themselves From Harmful Germs

/PRNewswire/ -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)(1) and LYSOL brand products are proud to announce the launch of the Ounce of Prevention Kids web site www.oopkids.com, an interactive site featuring educational activities designed to promote good health and hygiene. The web site was created in a continued effort to educate children and their parents about everyday and seasonal health and safety issues. The site is adapted from a children's Activity Book created in partnership with the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP), and includes health information provided by the CDC that supplements the Ounce of Prevention campaign.

A recent survey revealed that a majority of parents (72 percent) feel they have minimal to no control over protecting their kids from germs at school.(2) With health officials warning that the number of H1N1 flu cases is certain to worsen when influenza-friendly fall temperatures arrive, parents are concerned, more so than ever, about the germs their children will encounter at school. Now, parents have a kid-friendly and entertaining resource to help teach their children healthy hygiene habits to practice at home and in school that will help prevent the spread of illness-causing germs.

"It's unrealistic for parents to think they can control all of the germs their children will encounter at school," says pediatrician Dr. Laura Jana, mother of three school-aged children and owner of an educational child care center. "However, they can teach their children about the importance of personal hygiene, at a young age, to help prevent illness. Turn necessary routines into entertaining games to get your children excited about what would otherwise be mundane chores."

The Ounce of Prevention Kids web site www.oopkids.com, is designed for children ages six to nine, and features a range of activities, for kids to play on their own or with a parent, that focus on personal hygiene, nutrition, exercise and safety. Children can follow guides R.B. and Scrubs, animated characters, around the site to learn about the importance of hand washing, computer safety, healthy food choices and more. Activities can be played online or printed for later use.

Kid-friendly health and hygiene tips include:

-- Wash your hands often to keep them germ-free
-- Cough and sneeze into a tissue to prevent spreading germs to others
-- Eat healthy to keep your energy high and immune system strong
-- Keep your smile bright and mouth healthy by brushing twice a day
-- Stay safe in the kitchen to prevent injury or illness
-- Have fun to stay healthy and happy

"We are pleased to bring parents and health educators alike this high-quality, educational health and hygiene program. The content has been reviewed by experts who specialize in the care of children and recommend it as a valuable resource for childhood development," said Tom Bach, Professional Relations Manager of Germ Protection at Reckitt Benckiser, makers of Lysol.

Additionally, there are helpful tips for parents about proper food handling and surface disinfection with links to partner web sites, including CDC's Ounce of Prevention campaign home page www.cdc.gov/ounceofprevention and LYSOL's Germ Information Center www.lysol.com/germ-information-center/.

More helpful information and interactive activities will be added throughout the year.

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