Kutol Products Company has named Frank Oncken, vice-president business development for Cavalier Inc. in Norfolk, Va. the January “Wash-it-Away” Photo Contest winner with the cash prize of $350. Onken's winning photo was taken at the Granby YMCA in the facility’s break-room area with both Cavalier sales reps and YMCA staff doing the familiar “Y.M.C.A.” hand gestures.
 
The company's photo contest encourages proper handwashing by posting colorful mirror clings in restrooms across the country as a fun reminder that soap and water is a proven way to effectively fight the spread of flu and colds. Distributors are competing for prizes by submitting creative photos of the mirror clings they post in their accounts.

“A recent study by Michigan State University revealed that only 5 percent of those observed in public restrooms wash their hands in the proper way using soap and washing for the proper amount of time,” said Dan Renner, Kutol marketing director. “However, the study also found the use of signage increased the likelihood of proper handwashing techniques. As we headed into cold and flu season, we saw the opportunity to encourage proper handwashing with colorful mirror clings and a fun contest.”

According to the CDC, proper hand washing is the most effective way to reduce the spread of infectious disease, however 95 percent of the subjects in the Michigan study failed to follow the correct procedures. The most prevalent error most people make is cutting short the amount of time in rubbing their hands together while hand washing and neglecting to scrub the back of their hands, between their fingers, and under their nails.


Demonstrating the well-known “YMCA” hand gestures are Jason Jones, vice-president sales, Cavalier, Inc.; Amy Cruse, FitQuest Coach, YMCA; Chrissy Decroix, DSR, Cavalier, Inc.; and Frank Oncken. | Photo courtesy of Kutol Products Company