Bug and Insect Repellent Safety

There are many types of insect repellents available to help keep us from being bit by mosquitoes, flies and ticks or stung by bees or wasps.

Aerosol and pump sprays are generally used on skin and clothing whereas creams, lotions, sticks and liquids are for skin only.

Non-chemical solutions may help too. Things such as netting, screens and clothing covering exposed areas are all good ideas, but they are not always practical. After all, a mosquito may not get you if you are wearing long sleeves and long pants, but the heat certainly will!

Here are some general do's and don'ts for insect repellents.

• Do NOT use repellent under your clothing.
• Do NOT apply to a child's hands
• Do NOT apply to eyes or mouth and only use a very small amount around the ears.
• Do NOT use a spray when applying near the ears.
• Do NOT apply repellent, in any form, over cuts, open wounds, rashes or irritated skin
• Do NOT breathe in repellent spray.
• Do NOT spray in an enclosed area (like a car)
• DO apply repellent to your hands and then apply to your child.
• DO wash off areas where repellent had been applied as soon as you are back indoors
• DO use as little of the repellent as possible to get the desired effect.
• DO apply directly to exposed skin
• DO follow product labels closely
• DO stop using if you have any adverse reaction and bring the repellent with you if you go to a doctor, Emergency Room or Poison Control Center.