Lysol® Helps Families Conquer Their Absurd Cold And Flu "Alter Egos" For A Healthier And Happier New Year

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Jan. 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- With Americans suffering from one billion colds each year¹, it's no wonder that people sometimes go to great lengths to help keep themselves and their loved ones healthy. What they may not realize is that with the extreme measures they take to avoid germs, they can almost become a different version of their normal selves – taking on an "alter ego" that practices preposterous, eyebrow-raising behavior. That's why Lysol®, an RB brand, has developed a guide of common germ alter egos; shedding light on these ridiculous behaviors and providing solutions to "#LysolThat" so you can be your normal self.

Lysol challenges families to practice basic but effective hygiene habits like hand washing, proper sneeze and cough etiquette and regular surface disinfection to help prevent the spread of cold and flu germs – rather than morphing into an awkward "alter ego" that resorts to extreme germ-avoidance behavior such as:

• The Magician, who disappears from germy situations while conjuring props to assist with germ avoidance
• The Touch-a-phobe, who contorts to avoid contact with any surfaces
• The Defriender, who clears their social calendar during peak cold and flu season
• The Avoidenator, who avoids all mass public gatherings

"With the excitement and opportunities that each New Year brings, we want to help families put their best foot forward rather than take on extreme and ineffective behavior in order to avoid illness," said Conor O'Brien, marketing director, Lysol. "As part of the Lysol mission, we are passionately committed to helping people stay healthy by educating them about the key steps they can adopt to help prevent the spread of germs. By practicing simple healthy habits like handwashing, you can feel good about the steps you're taking to avoid catching cold and flu and enjoy what matters most."

For 100 years Lysol has been the germ kill leader, continually supporting cold and flu prevention with a full range of products to effectively stop harmful germs from spreading. Lysol No-Touch Hand Soap removes 99.9 percent of bacteria from hands and Lysol Disinfectant Spray and Lysol Disinfecting Wipes eliminate 99.9 percent of germs on commonly touched surfaces, perfect for any Touch-a-phobe or Avoidenator!  

To avoid the spread of the flu, the CDC guidelines include actions such as:

• Take time to get the flu vaccine
• Take everyday preventive actions to help stop the spread of germs such as washing your hands often with soap and water, and cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like the flu
• Take flu antiviral drugs if your doctor prescribes them

For further information on staying healthy during cold and flu season, please visit the following resources:

• Lysol: www.lysol.com/coldandflu
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.CDC.gov
• Flu.gov: www.flu.gov 

About RB

RB (formerly called Reckitt Benckiser) is the world's leading consumer health and hygiene company. The company has operations in over 60 countries, with headquarters in the UK, Singapore, Dubai and Amsterdam, and sales in almost 200 countries. The company employs approximately 37,000 people worldwide.

With a purpose of delivering innovative solutions for healthier lives and happier homes, RB is in the top 20 of companies listed on the London Stock Exchange. Today it is the global No. 1 or No. 2 in the majority of its fast-growing categories, driven by an exceptional rate of innovation. Its health, hygiene and home portfolio is led by 19 global Powerbrands including Mucinex, Durex, Scholl, Lysol, MegaRed, Veet, Finish, Air Wick, French's, Nurofen, Strepsils, Gaviscon, Dettol, Harpic, Bang, Veja, Mortein, Vanish and Calgon. At the start of 2014 RB had 43% of its core revenues coming from its 2 emerging market areas and 57% from its developed market area; 72% of core revenues came from the health and hygiene categories of the portfolio.

Fuelled by a new breed of talent who blend intellectual curiosity with commitment to the highest quality standards, RB is set to redefine the world of consumer health and hygiene. RB people and its culture are at the heart of the company's success.

For more information visit www.rb.com.

¹ Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ Date accessed October 8, 2014

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150116/169683LOGO

SOURCE RB

Related Links

http://www.rb.com