OFF!(R) Insect Repellant DEET Fact Sheet

RACINE, Wis., March 14 /PRNewswire/ — WHAT IS DEET?


DEET stands for N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, the scientific name for an ingredient used in some insect repellents. DEET is among the most effective and most studied insect repellents available, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The more DEET a repellent contains, the longer time it can protect you from biting insects such as mosquitoes.


IS DEET EFFECTIVE?


Yes, in fact, research published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that insect repellents containing DEET provided the most complete protection for the longest duration among the repellents tested. The CDC recommends DEET-based repellents to help people reduce their exposure to mosquitoes that may carry potentially serious pathogens such as West Nile Virus.


HOW MUCH REPELLENT DO I NEED?


It is important to choose a repellent that provides the right amount of protection for the duration of time you will be spending outdoors. Be sure to reapply repellents according to product instructions, particularly after swimming and/or heavy perspiration.


A higher percentage of DEET should be used if you will be outdoors for several hours, while a lower percentage of DEET can be used if time outdoors will be limited. For example:

  —  OFF! Deep Woods(R) Sportsmen(TM) Insect Repellent containing 98% DEET
provides up to 10 hours of protection from mosquitoes.
— OFF! (R) Active(TM) Insect Repellents that vary ten to 25% DEET.

SAFETY TIPS:


Be sure to follow these application recommendations, many of which also appear on the product label:

  —  Reapply repellents according to product instructions, and after
swimming and/or heavy perspiration.
— Use enough repellent to cover exposed skin or clothing.
— Don’t apply repellent to skin that is under clothing.
— Heavy application is not necessary to achieve protection.
— Do not apply repellent to cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
— After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water.
— Do not spray aerosol or pump products in enclosed areas.
— Do not apply aerosol or pump products directly to your face. Spray
your hands and then rub them carefully over your face, avoiding eyes
and mouth.
— Parents should apply repellent to children — avoid applying to
children’s hands, eyes and mouth.

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT TO BUY?


Certain products display the label “DEET.” If they do not, look at the ingredient list for N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide or, sometimes, N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide.


You’ll find the greatest variety of repellent products if you look for the OFF!(R) brand. OFF!(R) repellents include a full line of protection containing DEET. To be able to pick the best protection, consider:

  —  OFF!(R) Family Care Insect Repellents is ideal for the backyard or
playground. The OFF!(R) Family Care line contains five to seven
percent DEET and provides protection for up to two hours.
— OFF!(R) Active(TM) Insect Repellents are for people on the move who
enjoy spending time outdoors and are active in sports and recreational
activities. The OFF!(R) Active line is sweat resistant, with DEET
concentrations varying from 10 to 25 percent. OFF!(R) Active(TM)
repellents are available in aerosol, pump-spray and lotion
applications.
— Use a high-strength (25% DEET) repellent like new OFF! Deep Woods(R)
Towelettes or other Deep Woods(R) repellents for extended activities,
like camping and hiking, when biting bugs are at their worst.
— OFF! Deep Woods(R) Sportsmen(TM) line comes in both aerosol (up to
five hours of mosquito protection) and spritz (up to 10 hours of
mosquito protection) formulations and is ideal for rugged outdoor
activities, such as hunting, fishing and camping.
— OFF!(R) PowerPad(R) Lamp and Lantern protects an area up to 15x
greater than citronella candles or buckets. The power to repel is in
the pad that provides protection for up to four hours per candle and
pad combination.
— OFF! (R) Yard & Deck Area Repellent II will keep flying insects away
from your BBQ party, picnic or camping area for hours.
— OFF!(R) Mosquito Coil III protects an area of up to 10 feet by 10 feet
from mosquitoes and comes in a reusable terra cotta pot. It also has a
pleasant Country Fresh(R) scent that will enhance the ambiance of any
outdoor setting.

WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?


For more information on effective repellent use, visit the CDC West Nile Virus Web site http://www.cdc.gov/westnile. To learn more about OFF!(R) insect repellents, visit: http://www.offprotects.com/


SC Johnson is a family-owned and -managed business 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, personal care and insect control. It markets such well-known brands as EDGE(R), GLADE(R), OFF! (R), PLEDGE(R), RAID(R), SCRUBBING BUBBLES(R), SHOUT(R), WINDEX(R) and ZIPLOC(R) in the U.S. and beyond, with brands marketed outside the U.S. including AUTAN(R), BAYGON(R), BRISE(R), ECHO(R), KABIKILLER(R), KLEAR(R), and MR. MUSCLE(R). The 122-year old company, with over $7.5 billion in sales, employs approximately 12,000 people globally and sells products in more than 110 countries. http://www.scjohnson.com/

   CONTACT
Jenny Taylor
262-260-4402
jataylor@scj.com

Apryl Ehmann
312-233-1232
apryl.ehmann@edelman.com


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Source: SC Johnson