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An employee moving pallets of donated products at SC Johnson

SC Johnson Donates 9,000 Units of OFF!® Personal Repellent to the Ecuadorian Red Cross

Donation Intended to Help Protect Families from Mosquito-Borne Diseases After Recent Earthquake in the Country

Following earthquake in Ecuador, SC Johnson donates 9,000 units of OFF! personal repellents.
SC Johnson is partnering with the Ecuadorian Red Cross to provide and distribute the repellents.

Quito, May 3, 2016 — In response to the recent earthquake in Ecuador, SC Johnson announced today that it will donate 9,000 units of OFF! personal repellents, including aerosols and creams, to the country through a partnership with the Ecuadorian Red Cross. This donation will provide effective tools to help needy families combat the mosquitoes that may carry diseases such as Dengue, Chikungunya or Zika throughout the nation.

“We at SC Johnson are committed to the communities in which we operate. As a result, we are eager to help the families of Ecuador protect themselves from mosquitoes while the nation rebuilds after the devastating earthquake," said Diego Siccardi, Senior Director of Brand Management, International Markets at SC Johnson. “After a natural disaster, cities and towns can be even more vulnerable to mosquito-borne diseases while lacking access to necessary health services or resources. Working with the Red Cross will help this donation have a considerable impact by reaching these most vulnerable populations.”

Given the risks that may arise from an earthquake, SC Johnson, the world’s leading manufacturer of pest control products, including OFF!®, Autan®, Raid® and Baygon®,  is partnering with the Ecuadorian Red Cross to provide and distribute units of Off!® product to help prevent disease outbreak during this critical time. SC Johnson will also provide cash contributions to cover logistics, distribution and educational materials.  

For more than 50 years, SC Johnson entomologists have studied insects at the Entomology Research Center in Racine, Wis., the world’s largest private, urban entomology research center. In addition to its research expertise, the company has ramped up the production of pest control products to meet increased demand in response to mosquito-borne Zika virus and dengue fever outbreaks. SC Johnson currently operates in more than 70 countries and sells products in virtually every country around the world.

Tips for Protecting Your Family

Personal repellents that contain the active ingredient DEET, which are applied to exposed skin and clothing areas, are an important line of defense. DEET is an active ingredient that provides hours of protection against insect bites. With any repellent, it is important for families to choose the one that best fits their needs, then fully read the product label and closely follow the instructions.  

Twice a week, it is recommended that habitats where mosquitoes can breed are removed from around houses or other buildings. People should empty, clean or cover containers such as buckets, flower pots, old tires or toys to remove or destroy mosquito habitats. They can also make it harder for mosquitoes to come into their homes by covering any gaps in windows or doors.

Individuals can further minimize exposure to mosquito bites by wearing light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants, socks, and hats. Tucking in shirts and tucking pants into socks also decreases the chances of getting bitten. If sleeping areas are exposed to the outdoors, individuals should use a bed net and cover baby carriers as well.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) websites both recommend a mix of tactics to prevent mosquito bites. For more information about mosquito-borne disease prevention, visit www.scjohnson.com/mosquitoes.

About SC Johnson

SC Johnson is a family company dedicated to innovative, high-quality products, excellence in the workplace and a long-term commitment to the environment and the communities in which it operates. Based in the USA, the company is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household cleaning products and products for home storage, air care, pest control and shoe care, as well as professional products. It markets such well-known brands as GLADE®, KIWI®, OFF!®, PLEDGE®, RAID®, SCRUBBING BUBBLES®, SHOUT®, WINDEX® and ZIPLOC® in the U.S. and beyond, with brands marketed outside the U.S. including AUTAN®, TANA®, BAMA®, BAYGON®, BRISE®, KABIKILLER®, KLEAR®, MR MUSCLE® and RIDSECT®. The 130-year-old company, which generates $10 billion in sales, employs approximately 13,000 people globally and sells products in virtually every country around the world. www.scjohnson.com