With the heightened awareness about the flu virus, Softsoap(R)BRAND encourages parents to reinforce the importance of frequent hand washing with their children. Demonstrate how to properly clean hands by using warm soapy water, scrubbing hand surfaces and nails for 20 seconds, rinsing well and drying with a clean towel.

"Right now, families can use hand washing as a simple way to teach their children how to prevent the spread of germs among their family and friends," said Dr. Val Curtis, Director of the Hygiene Center, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. "It's never too early or too late to educate kids about proper hand washing. Teaching your children how and when to thoroughly clean hands helps to establish lasting hand washing routines."

Take an important step to help keep your children healthy by sharing these hand washing strategies:

Wash Hands BEFORE:

    --  Eating or making a snack
    --  Going on a play date
    --  Playing with video games
    --  Doing homework on the family computer
    --  Grabbing the TV remote control
    --  Setting the table for a meal

Wash Hands AFTER:

    --  Using the restroom
    --  Getting off the school bus
    --  Playing on playground equipment
    --  Eating in the school cafeteria
    --  Handling a backpack or lunchbox
    --  Touching money
    --  Playing a musical instrument
    --  Walking or playing with companion pets
    --  Participating in sports practices and games
    --  Reading public materials, such as library books