Submitted by India’s top mommy blogger – Sangeetha Menon
There has been a news item that has been consistently popping up in the newspapers of late, that has set my panic levels to an all-time high. The dengue and chikungunya cases reported seem to be sky rocketing. Needless to say, every time I see a mosquito, I panic. Well, you can’t blame me, dengue and chikungunya can be quite an ordeal for you or your little one. But as parents, we can try and ensure that our kids are protected from dengue and chikungunya. Today we will take a look at tips that will safeguard your child and put your mind at ease.
7 Tips to safeguard your child from Dengue and Chikungunya
1. Use personal mosquito repellent each time you step out Do you use a mosquito repellent for your child when he goes outdoors? You may do so when he goes to play, but what about when he/she goes to school? Most of us forget to do that. Send your kids to school only after applying a personal mosquito repellent to protect them from the Aedes mosquito that spreads dengue. This is because it is active during daytime! I recently bought Goodknight Fabric Roll-On personal repellent and tried it on my kid, I was amazed that there were no mosquito bites on him/her till he got back from school, unlike other days when I would use a regular cream. It is also 100% natural and the best part is that it doesn’t have to be applied on the skin! It is so easy to use! Just 4 dots on clothes before you step out. So my kid doesn’t complain either as it is not sticky or smelly like the old fashioned cream.
2. Use Mosquito coils/vaporisers in the morning too We leave the vaporiser on through the night and switch it off in the mornings. This is like arranging for a warm welcome for the Aedes aegypti. So don’t forget to leave the mosquito coil/ vaporiser on in the mornings too, so that you and your family stay protected.
3. Dress Make your child wear long-sleeved t-shirts and tops. Opt for leggings, trousers, and leggings. Aedes aegypti usually aim for the ankles! So make sure that your child’s ankles are covered. Avoid bright prints and colours as mosquitoes are attracted to it.
4. Make sure you eliminate breeding grounds indoors We have grown up hearing that mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. This may give us an idea that they only breed in dirty water. But in reality, just an ounce of water doesn’t matter if it is clean or dirty can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes. So ensure that you don’t have any places where water can accumulate, inside your house. You can do this by:
Apart from this, if you have pets at home, make sure you keep their feeding bowls clean and clear out leftover food and keep their sleeping area clean. View article here
