JohnsonDiversey launches ground breaking Bug Blasters system On Tuesday 25th April 2006, JohnsonDiversey formally launched the highly innovative Bug Blasters children's hand washing system, at its Customer Centre in Northampton. Present for the child-focused event were guest speakers 'Aunty' Claire Rayner (former nurse, agony aunt, and President of the Patients Association), Amanda Howell (Lead Infection Control Officer, Charnwood and NW Leicestershire PCT) and Gabi Teague (Joint Project Director of the NPSA's Clean Your Hands Campaign). 40 local school children aged between 4-11 joined forces to drive home the message that "Clean Hands are Safe Hands". The children turned tables on adults in a replica classroom, complete with a dirt-revealing glow box, real life "Bug Blasters" 'cartoon' characters, and a nutty "poo"-fessor (complete with dubious looking choccy mousse). Children are offered little encouragement to wash their hands, both due to uninspiring washing facilities and lack of real focus on educating them about the importance of washing their hands. Bug Blasters has been created to encourage children to wash their hands through a fun and colourful soap dispenser designed by children for children. The Bug Blasters characters also help children to better understand harmful bugs, the illnesses they can cause, and the simple hygiene changes needed to stay healthy. The concept is simple but very effective. The colourful soap dispenser is appealing and fun to use and the revolutionary web-based support tool allows children to play games, enter competitions or get more information on the Bug Blasters Team. There is also a wealth of information for parents, teachers and healthcare workers which helps support them in educating children (and even lesson plans to fit in with the National Curriculum). Claire Rayner said: "Every parent knows that schools have become a breeding ground for bugs. Now we have some real 'nasties' around, it's time to take hygiene very seriously indeed, both at school and at home. It's important that parents also get the message. The Bug Blasters hand cleaning system is great because it does it in a fun, memorable way, and this education should be mandatory for every school child in the land." Moreno Dezio, Managing Director of JohnsonDiversey, added "Today's children are tomorrow's teachers and nurses. What they learn in early years forms the basis of the values they carry through into adulthood and the values they pass onto the next generation. This is why teaching the importance of good hand hygiene to today's 4-11 year olds is so essential. As a father of two children I am really excited about Bug Blasters. The system is good for my kids, good for all our kids, good for JohnsonDiversey and good for our society. It doesn't happen often in your job that something fulfils you personally and professionally - in Bug Blasters I have both." Glenn Phillips, 11, summed up simply by saying: "I didn't realise germs live on your hands for hours - I'll make sure I wash mine properly from now on, and I'm going to tell everyone I know to make sure they do too!" For more information about BugBlasters, contact Vanessa Colclough on 07967694330, vanessa.colclough@johnsondiversey.com.