Tag: safety

Are Mosquito Bites Dangerous to Infants?

Posted on by k2Dev

Should You Take Your Baby Outdoors?

You have a young baby and summertime outdoors are beckoning. But there are concerns about taking your little one along to enjoy outdoor activities. You know about common risks and how to prevent their negative effects – like slathering on the sunscreen to prevent overexposure to sun. But what about mosquitoes? How safe will your baby be in the presence of those inevitable blood suckers? The answer to that question may leave you second guessing your outing. But take heart, there are mosquito bite preventions available.

The Dreaded Mosquito Bite

Mosquitoes are more than just annoying, unwanted insects buzzing your ears in the stillness of evening. They have long been known to carry within them a variety of debilitating and even deadly diseases. Globally responsible for more deaths throughout human history than any other creature, many scientists argue the mosquito to be the deadliest animal on earth. Your infant may be aware of the initial tickle, and then itch of the ‘bite’, but without mosquito bite prevention, Baby has just possibly become the catalyst for what could be a frightening chain of events.

Mosquitoes become aware that you and your infant are nearby simply because you have exhaled. They are drawn to the carbon dioxide present in exhaled breath. The males of the species are not interested in you or Baby, preferring pollen. The females, however, are honing in. Because they are breeding, they are producing eggs and are in need of the protein found in blood. The female will land on the exposed skin of Baby and begin to penetrate the skin with it’s proboscis. She begins to draw Baby’s blood. Your infant has also just been injected with the anesthetic and anticoagulant that is present in the mosquito’s saliva. This signals the human body’s immune system to work against these injected substances, and the itch begins. But, that might not be the only substance that the hated mosquito has just introduced into your baby’s body.

The Mosquito’s Infamous Reputation

Unless prudent mosquito bite prevention is exercised, humans tend to be easy prey for these blood thirsty predators. Unfortunately, mosquitoes have exacted a staggering toll on human life over the millennia by way of a deadly collection of diseases. Included among those diseases are:

Malaria: a parasitic infection of the liver and red blood cells; as red cells are damaged the resulting clots can further damage organs.

Yellow Fever: a viral infection that can cause heart, liver and kidney problems, hemorrhaging and death.

West Nile Virus: a viral infection with symptoms that can last weeks and can cause long-term neurological damage.

Prevention of Mosquito Bites is Important for Babies

While the history of human encounters with mosquitoes is bleak, present and future encounters are manageable and positive. Prevention of mosquito bites, especially for babies, is a critical step to exercise when planning any outdoor activity or simply enjoying everyday life during mosquito season. Fortunately, humans have a broad arsenal of weapons at hand.

  1. First, think habitat. While mosquitoes are a critical element of global ecosystems as food for beneficial animals, and have been hanging around the planet for up to 30 million years, eliminating their habitat in your immediate area is simple. Mosquitoes require water for reproduction. Be vigilant to remove all standing water. Change birdbaths daily. Eliminate all open containers that can collect rainwater.
  2. Second, think structural. Make sure that all doors and windows have fine screening that prevents access to mosquitoes. Seal all cracks or openings to structures. Use mosquito netting to cover cribs and carriages.
  3. Third, use natural or chemical repellants. Repellants today come in many forms of application. The CDC has recommended the use of time-tested DEET which can be used on babies and oil of eucalyptus (not safe for children under three) among other repellants.
  4. Fourth, avoid exposure. Stay indoors during dawn and dusk to minimize exposure, as mosquitoes are most active during these hours.

Take these steps to insure your infant’s safety during the mosquito season. Knowing how best to avoid or minimize exposure and prevent mosquito bites can give you peace of mind, and make the outdoors enjoyable once again for you and your baby.

 

How to Keep Kids Safe from Mosquitoes

Posted on by k2Dev

When the summer arrives, dealing with the prospect of being bitten by mosquitoes can put a damper on spending time with family and friends outdoors. Keeping your kids safe from mosquitoes is possible with a bit of direction and by following a few tips and tricks that will ensure the mosquitoes are not disrupting any outdoor activities you have planned for the summer months. Mosquitoes are pesky insects that can cause rashes and bumps that are itchy and uncomfortable. However, with the right preparation, it is possible to enjoy your time outdoors worry-free.

Inform Your Kids

Before you find insect repellent that is right for you and your kids, inform your kids about mosquitoes and how they can be proactive in order to prevent irritation or bites. Educating your children on summer safety and the importance of wearing sunblock and insect repellent will help them to develop positive habits that can be used into adulthood.

Choose the Right Insect Repellent

Choose an insect repellent that is ideal for your children, depending on their age and their level of outdoor activity. There are insect repellents specifically-designed for babies, toddlers and children of all ages. You can also find insect repellent that is waterproof, ideal if you plan to spend time in water or if you have a pool in your household that is ready to be used.

Find an insect repellent that can be used for hours at a time or that offers protection for 12 or 24 hours. Be sure to read all labels of the insect repellent you choose to ensure it is the ideal type for your child’s age and the type of activity he or she plans to participate in throughout the summer. Having multiple insect repellent options is also recommended, as not all repellents work the same for different individuals.

Wearing Loose-Fitting Clothing

Inform your children of the benefits of wearing loose-fitting clothing, especially when they are not in a swimsuits but still plan to spend time outdoors. Wearing long-sleeved shirts is highly recommended in addition to wearing darker colors, as bright colors tend to attract insects including mosquitoes, increasing the chance of being bitten.

Avoid Being Outside at Dusk

Have your children inside before dusk to reduce the amount of mosquitoes they encounter each day. Mosquitoes tend to come out during dusk, which will cause them to seek out hosts to bite. If you plan to spend the evening or night outdoors when camping, swimming or simply enjoying the weather, use tiki torches and candles that detract mosquitoes and other insects. The more citronella candles and tiki torches you use, the less likely mosquitoes are to interrupt you and your family while you are outdoors.

Scented Fragrances

Have your children avoid wearing scented fragrances, including cologne, perfume and even body lotions. The more scents you wear outdoors, the more insects will instinctively be attracted to your child, causing them to land and most often, bite or sting.

Get Rid of Standing Water

Most bugs, including mosquitoes, are attracted to water around homes. To avoid mosquitoes from interrupting your summer fun, be sure to rid any area on your property of standing water. Flower pots, buckets, planters and even birdbaths should all be removed during the summertime when mosquitoes are most prevalent.

Install Screens in Windows and Doors

Another way to minimize the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, even indoors, is to ensure all of your doors and windows have screens installed throughout. If you have a sliding door, it is essential to keep it closed whenever it is not being used to keep insects, including mosquitoes, from entering the home.

Making a few small changes in your backyard this summer is a great way to get rid of mosquitoes and ensure you and your family have a great time outdoors this year. The more actively involved you are with protecting your kids from mosquitoes, the easier it is to bask in the sun, play outdoor games and enjoy swimming regardless of the time of year!

 

How To Keep Mosquitoes Out Of Your Home

Posted on by k2Dev

Surprisingly, blood is not the primary food for mosquitoes. Sipping on nectar and plant juices are how they get the energy they need to fly around. In fact, the male mosquito never even has a drink of blood it its whole life. It is the female mosquito that needs the protein from blood to be able to produce eggs.

However, these bothersome insects can cause a lot itching, and some people have allergic reactions that can cause a lot of soreness and inflammation. It is not something you want to put up with in your home, and considering that they can carry dangerous diseases, it is best to take steps to keep them out.

So just how do you keep mosquitoes out of your home?

Eliminate Mosquito Friendly Areas

To control mosquitoes inside your home, it’s best to start with a few important steps to protect the outside of your home. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water, so periodically check to make sure there are no such places in the immediate vicinity of your home.

These could be:

• Piles of wet leaves

• Tree holes

• Bird baths

• Flower pots

• Old tires

• Toys and kiddy pools

• Drainage pipes

• Gutters

• Sagging tarps and other protective covers

Especially after it rains, it is important to take a look around your yard and empty anything that has filled with water. Also, make sure the ground is draining well and no puddles are remaining.

For stagnant water to be safe, it helps to have a healthy fish population. Fish will eat the larvae of mosquitoes and prevent the population form increasing.

Seal and Screen Your Home

1. If you want to be able to leave windows and doors open for fresh air, make sure they are all properly screened. Although a mosquito will not push itself through a tight hole, an opening about the size of a penny is enough to welcome it. Ensure that your screens and window shutters fit snugly and that they are not torn.

2. Check to make certain there are no other openings such as ventilators that will allow them to come through. Where plumbing and electrical wires enter your home is another place to check for any unwanted gaps. All of these holes can be sealed off permanently as you will not need to open them on a regular basis.

3. Don’t forget to check your attic and basement for any openings. They will not live in those places, but they will come through them and find you.

4. The worst time for mosquitoes is an hour before sunset and again in the early morning. If you are extra careful during these times, and try to not open doors too frequently, it will immensely reduce the chances of them getting in to your home.

Benefits of Fans and Yellow Lighting

1. If you have fans, use them. Mosquitoes are not strong flyers, and a gust of wind will blow them away and stop them from approaching you. Setting up an oscillating fan is another way to enjoy a patio or porch, or even help you avoid bites if mosquitoes do manage to get inside your home.

A mosquito is attracted to you because of the heat you produce and the carbon dioxide you exhale. A fan will keep you cool, prevent you from sweating, and it will blow away the carbon dioxide you exhale. This makes you very unappetizing.

2. Mosquitoes come out when it is dark and they are attracted to light, mostly white light. Changing the white light in your home to a yellow, warm glow is another simple way to make your home uninviting to a mosquito. Turn lights off when they are not needed, and as much as possible, keep outside lights off, especially, in the evening and early morning.

In order to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home, remember to start outside first. Depending on where you live, this may not always be possible. However, working with your neighbors and your local government to reduce their breeding grounds, will not only reduce the number of mosquitoes that can enter your home, but it will also make it possible for you to enjoy your back yard.