Joe Petrashek Summer Safety Tips for Kids Bug Edition
Summertime is the stuff of kids’ dreams. Three long months to play and swim and enjoy the good weather without having to wake up early for school and do homework. Summer also carries with it some risks – especially in the bug department. Bites, stings and other issues present themselves frequently and it is good to be armed with the knowledge for how to treat bug bites, stings and other bug related issues in order to keep your kids safe and comfortable.
Bug bites and stings can ruin a day. If you live in an area that has a heavy bug population you already know that spending time outside means planning to spray your kids (and yourself!) with insect repellent. This small act can reduce bites from mosquitoes, ticks, ants, flees and other bugs. Be smart about your bug repellent. As you probably know, there are two types of insect repellent – those with DEET and those without. Repellents containing DEET should be used sparingly on kids. DEET can be toxic so always check the levels of it in the repellent before applying to even older children. Never use insect repellent on babies. If the concentration of DEET is 10 to 30%, it can be used on skin, clothes and shoes but not on the face or hands. If you would prefer to avoid DEET altogether, look for repellents containing picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus – both substances are non-toxic and have been shown to be as effective at repelling bug bites as repellents with low levels of DEET.
Ticks are problematic. The season for them is generally April through October, though that can change depending on where you live. In warmer climates, tick season is even longer than that six month period. Ticks aren’t only in the forest. You can pick ticks up while gardening, hanging out at your local park or playing outside. Ticks are not just an issue for you and your kids, your dog and/or cat can also pick them up and they are harmful to animals as well. There are four steps you can take to prevent ticks attacking you.
- Wearing light colored clothing and shoes in summertime not only keeps you cooler, it also helps you spot ticks (and other bugs) that are crawling on you. Also, tucking your pant legs into your socks can prevent or at the least minimize ticks crawling up your legs.
- I am about to completely contradict what I just said about insect repellents containing DEET. Insect repellents that contain DEET can lower your chances of being bitten by a tick.
- Be aware of when you are in areas where ticks may be prevalent. Ticks like to hang out in grassy and wooded areas, especially those that are humid or moist.
- Every night when the family comes inside, a tick check should be done. Yes, every single night. Contracting a tick-bourne illness can take up to 36 hours to present itself if the tick isn’t removed. Be sure to check under arms, between legs, around the waist, inside the belly button as well as the hairline and scalp. Ticks are nasty, insidious bugs. Fine-tipped tweezers are best for tick removal. Hold the tick in the tweezers getting as close to the skin as you can and pull upwards. Have a steady hand as twisting or turning could cause the tick’s mouth to break off under the skin. Disinfect the area and you can breathe a sigh of relief, you’re done.
By following these handy tips, you can win the battle against summer bugs and keep yourself, your kids and your pets safe from any insect born discomfort or illnesses.