Repellents that contain ingredients like DEET, picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus can help keep biting insects away from children. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends using a tool at https://bit.ly/422MTkV to find products registered with the Environmental Protection Agency. Parents also can follow these tips from the AAP to make sure they use insect repellents safely:
Repellents Tips:
- Choose sticks, lotions or un-pressurized sprays.
- Follow all directions and precautions on the label.
- Apply insect repellent on young children and watch older children to make sure they use repellents correctly.
- Use just enough repellent to cover your child’s clothing and exposed skin.
- Do not put repellent on children’s hands because they might put their hands in their mouth and eyes.
- Spray a little repellent on your hands and then rub it on your child’s face so it doesn’t get in the eyes and mouth.
- Spray repellent in open areas so children don’t breathe it in.
- Do not spray on cuts, wounds or irritated skin.
- Do not use products that have both sunscreen and repellent in them. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied more often than insect repellent.
- Wash kids’ skin with soap and water to remove repellent when they come inside, and wash clothing before they wear it again.
- Keep repellents out of young children’s reach.
- If your baby is exposed to insects, put mosquito netting over carriers and strollers.
If your child has a reaction to an insect repellent, wash the skin with soap and water. Then call either your Doctor and or
Ontario Poison Centre Phone:
(416) 813-5900.
(Source: AAP Newsletter w to use insect repellents safely around kidsJune 1, 2023, https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/24397?utm_source=MagnetMail)
How to use insect repellents safely around kids