Children are naturally curious and want to explore. As a result, they can come in contact with bees, wasps, yellow jackets, hornets, and fire ants.
Tips Keep Your Child Safe From Insect Stings:
Check for nests in areas where children play. Nests can be found in old tree stumps, around rotting wood, and in holes in the ground. Check in auto tires that are part of a playground. Look around trash cans.
Have insect nests removed by a professional exterminator.
Don’t allow children who are allergic to insects to play outside alone when stinging insects are active. Even a dead insect can sting if a child steps on it or picks it up.
Wear shoes. Avoid wearing sandals or going barefoot.
Avoid wearing bright colors and floral patterns. These can attract insects. Wear white, green, tan, and khaki. These colors are not as attractive to insects.
When eating outdoors, avoid foods that attract insects. Some examples are tuna, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and watermelon. Sweetened drinks, frozen sweet treats, and ice cream also attract insects.
Stay away from garbage cans and dumpsters.
If an insect is near, do not swat at it or run. These actions can trigger an attack. Walk away slowly. If you have disturbed a nest and the insects swarm around you, curl up as tightly as you can to reduce exposed skin. Keep your face down and cover your head with your arms.
A child who is allergic to insects should wear a medical alert necklace or bracelet.
Additional Information from HealthyChildren.org: