7 Sure Shot Ways to Protect Your Child From Dengue And Chikungunya

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 Good knight 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

• Not overwatering indoor plants (water shouldn't collect in the plate kept under the pots)
• Cleaning the water trays of coolers and ACs
• Making sure that water cans are covered properly
• Fixing leaky pipes and faucets

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.

#5. Mosquito proof your home

Use meshes or screens on your windows and doors to keep the mosquitoes out and fresh air and natural light in. Do check to make sure that there are no tears or holes on the meshes and screens.

Also, do make sure your child sleeps securely under a mosquito net. You can also use anti-mosquito patches on baby cots. These are quite handy and saves you the effort of setting up the mosquito nets.

#6. Clean your surroundings:

You can make your surroundings unfavourable for mosquitoes by keeping your house and surroundings clean. Some of the key things to keep in mind are-

• Make sure that you clear out anything that collects water. Stagnant water is the breeding ground for these winged devils. Remove all empty containers, tyres etc. Store containers, which you require, properly.
• If you have a garden, then do not over water your plants as water can stagnate there as well.
• Pour some kerosene in open drains. This will cut off the oxygen supply to the larvae.
• If you have a pond near your house, consider growing fishes that eat mosquito larvae.

As I said earlier, water - clean or dirty can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

#7. Check for travel advisory/warnings issued by the government while travelling to countries with outbreak

This holds true when you plan vacations especially to south-east Asian countries, as some countries like Singapore have even reported Zika cases, the best thing to do is avoid these places during the outbreak or infestation.

Look out for the travel advisory issued by the government and follow the same.

Don't forget to pack mosquito repellents! You can buy Good knight Fabric Roll-On here.

Parents go the extra mile when it comes to protecting their kids from illnesses. So hope these tips help you in your endeavor to do so. Sometimes, all it takes is a SINGLE mosquito to make things worse for the entire household. So stay safe and protected by following these tips.

Dear moms, how do you protect your little ones from dengue and chikungunya? Share your tips with us.