Hand Hygiene, Healthy Habits Can Help Provide Checkups for Children in Need

Clorox and Children's Health Fund (CHF) are challenging America to make healthy choices that benefit themselves and their families, while simultaneously helping provide half a million healthcare visits to disadvantaged children across the country.

Through Check-in for Checkups, every time you make a healthy choice from washing your hands, to eating a nutritious meal, to taking a walk around the block simply "check-in" at www.checkinforcheckups.com or tweet the hashtag #checkinforcheckups and Clorox will donate 10 cents for each check-in, up to 1 million check-ins, to CHF as part of its goal of providing half a million checkups for children in need across the country. There is no limit for how many times you can check-in per day every single check-in helps keep kids healthy.

Making every healthy habit check-in count toward a checkup is easy. Whether you spend one minute or an hour, even your small acts of prevention can add up to a lifetime of wellness for those in need. Simply check-in your activities at www.checkinforcheckups.com or share your healthy habit on Twitter using the hashtag, #checkinforcheckups.

"Without access to comprehensive health care, children are at increased risk of developing life-long health issues," says Karen Redlener, executive director of CHF. "We are thrilled to partner with Clorox again this year to bring vulnerable kids the care they need and deserve so they can live healthier lives."

To help CHF and Clorox spread the word and meet the one million check-in challenge, you can:

1.Commit to a Healthy Habit: Visit www.checkinforcheckups.com to learn more about the program and get ideas for how your actions can help keep kids healthy. Challenge yourself with a daily healthy habit and see how your check-in's compare with others across the country. Read through the success stories on www.checkinforcheckups.com to get an extra boost of motivation.

2.Check-in Regularly: From June through December, Clorox will donate 10 cents to CHF for every healthy habit check-in at www.checkinforcheckups.com or tweet using the #checkinforcheckups hashtag, up to one million check-ins. There is no limit for how many times you can check-in per day every single check-in helps keep kids healthy.

3.Encourage Others to Share: Share your healthy habits with friends and family and encourage them to participate as well.

One in five children in the U.S. live in poverty and millions of children do not have access to regular checkups and timely healthcare visits when sick. As a result, simple childhood health problems, like ear infections and toothaches, can lead to lifelong health issues.

CHF's mobile medical clinics go into underserved communities to bring ongoing healthcare to children at schools, community centers, homeless shelters and other places in the heart of the community. In addition to pediatric primary care providers, the CHF network consists of other dedicated health care professionals including dentists, mental health providers and nutritionists.

"We are honored to be partnering with Children's Health Fund for the second year in a row to help reinforce simple healthy habits like disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, washing hands regularly and staying hydrated throughout the day," says Heidi Dorosin, vice president of marketing for The Clorox Company. "The Check-in for Checkups program ensures that every healthy habit adopted counts and goes toward improving the lives of children in need."

The Check-in for Checkups program will show people how healthy habits can help benefit their own personal well-being and contribute to the lives of disadvantaged children at the same time. Ensuring that everyone is getting regular checkups and practicing other healthy habits can impact an entire family and everyone in the surrounding communities. These habits include:

Encourage your family to wash their hands well with warm water and soap. This helps prevent the spread of infection.

Take a walk around the park with the dog and family.

Disinfect frequently touched surfaces like door handles and counters to help reduce the spread of germs.

Keep your kids on a regular teeth-brushing schedule. Watch them brush every now and then to make sure they're using the proper technique. Also, ensure they get their six month dentist check-ups.

Stay hydrated throughout the day by drinking water.