[January 24, 2013]

Widespread Influenza Epidemic Prompts ITW Professional Brands to Offer Top-of-Mind Tips to Fight Flu

With flu officially reaching epidemic proportions in the U.S. in early January, ITW Professional Brands reminds cleaning professionals that they can make important contributions to slow the spread of the virus.

"According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were flu deaths reported in 122 U.S. cities and it's a flu that's making people sicker than previous strains," said ITW Professional Brands Director of Sales and Marketing Rich Bucher. "Professional cleaners play a significant role in the fight against this virus. Cleaners must be vigilant in cleaning and disinfecting public spaces to prevent the spread of influenza."

ITW Professional Brands reminds cleaning professionals to:

1) Disinfect surfaces in high-traffic areas: To reduce the spread of viruses, ensure that high-touch surfaces such as door handles, desks, keyboards and phones are disinfected regularly. Use a true disinfectant, at the proper dilution and dwell time, and increase the cleaning frequencies on high-touch surfaces during the flu season to protect guests and staff against infection.

2) Deep clean restrooms: Whether it's in a facility or in a food-service setting, the buildup of harmful microorganisms in restrooms can easily transfer to a person's hands and cause illness. Thoroughly disinfect restroom surfaces, deep clean in all corners and disinfect grout lines, walls, sinks, faucets and toilets.

3) Know the difference between cleaning and disinfecting: Cleaning removes visible soil, dirt, stains and other debris from surface, while disinfecting destroys viruses, bacteria, germs and other harmful microorganiss. Focusing on disinfecting during times of elevated illness transmission is important in controlling the spread of viruses.

4) Encourage the use of pre-moistened wipes in break rooms: Providing pre-moistened wipes in break rooms and other areas of a building reduces the chance of cross-contamination in areas where employees gather each day.

5) Promote clean hands: Encouraging frequent hand washing is the single-most effective method for reducing the spread of the flu among guests and employees. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based gel sanitizers and pre-moistened hand sanitizing wipes are good options. Pre-moistened wipes also offer the added benefit of removing soil-attracting biofilm from hands.

ITW Professional Brands offers Spray Nine®, a cleaner/disinfectant that now kills a total of 26 germs and disinfects in only 45 seconds, SCRUBS® pre-moistened wipes in sanitizing and disinfecting formulations, SCRUBS® Hand Sanitizing Wipes, and Atlantic Mills® disposable food service wipers, along with other products focused on industrial and institutional hygiene markets for the industrial MRO (maintenance, repair and operations), Jan/San (janitorial and sanitation) and food service industries.

In addition to getting a flu shot, the CDC also recommends people to avoid close contact with others who are sick, cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, and stay home from work after contracting the flu to prevent its spread on the job. For more flu-stopping tips, visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/stopgerms.htm.

For more information on ITW Professional Brands products, visit www.itwprofessionalbrands.com or call 1-800-443-9536.

About ITW Professional Brands

ITW Professional Brands manufactures and markets products for industrial and institutional hygiene markets. Primary industries and distribution channels are industrial MRO, jan/san and food service. The brand portfolio contains five well-known industry brands including SCRUBS® pre-moistened wipes, Spray Nine® disinfectants and degreasers, DYKEM® industrial marking products, Dymon® specialty cleaning products and Atlantic Mills® disposable food service wipers. Backed by years of formulation expertise, the five brands from ITW Professional Brands offer products that are among the most trusted and effective products available today. ITW Professional Brands is located in Olathe, Kansas with an additional distribution center in Lakewood, New Jersey. For additional information regarding ITW Professional Brands, call 1-800-443-9536 or visit www.itwprofessionalbrands.com.

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