The warm weather is here! As you head outside for the summer, hiking or other outdoor activities may be on your family’s to-do list. But make sure you’re protecting your kids from bugs and creatures that could harm them while playing outdoors. Follow these simple tips for a safe summer!:
• Don’t use scented soaps, perfumes or hair sprays on your child when playing outdoors.
• Avoid areas where insects nest or gather, such as stagnant pools of water or uncovered foods and gardens where flowers are in bloom.
• Avoid dressing your child in clothing with bright colors and flowery prints.
• To remove a visible stinger from skin, gently back it out by scraping it with a credit card or your fingernail.
• Don’t combine sunscreen and insect repellent. Sunscreen needs to be applied every two hours, but the insect repellent should not be reapplied.
• Use insect repellents that contain DEET when needed to prevent insect-related diseases. Ticks can transmit Lyme Disease, and mosquitos can transmit West Nile Virus and other viruses.
• The current AAP and CDC recommendation for children older than 2 months of age is to use 10% to 30% DEET. DEET should not be used on children younger than 2 months of age.
• The effectiveness is similar for 10% to 30% DEET but the duration of effect varies. Ten percent DEET provides protection for about 2 hours, and 30% protects for about 5 hours. Choose the lowest concentration that will provide the required length of coverage.
• The concentration of DEET varies significantly from product to product, so read the label of any product you purchase. Children should wash off repellents when they return indoors.
• As an alternative to DEET, picaridin has become available in the U.S. in concentrations of 5% to10%.
• When outside in the evenings or other times when there are a lot of mosquitoes present, cover up with long sleeved shirts, pants and socks to prevent bites.
Source: www.aap.org
Mr. Finkelstein is the Managing Partner of Finkelstein & Partners, LLP. He has become a noted consumer activist through his representation of injured individuals against corporate wrongdoers and irresponsible parties.
An accomplished litigator, Mr. Finkelstein has represented Plaintiffs in wrongful death and catastrophic personal injury cases. He has successfully handled dozens of multi-million dollar cases.