Mosquito borne diseases are on a rise and keeping yourself and your kids safe from those teeny-weeny pests namely, mosquitoes is not an easy task. Use of mosquito repellents is one way to keep them away from us. But most of us are always in doubt when it comes to buying mosquito repellents especially, if there are kids at home.
The usual questions like - will the product be effective, can it be safe for kids, will it affect the skin, etc. always put us in dilemma. But if you are a mosquito magnet, you have no other way out but to depend on a mosquito repellent for your safety.
So how to choose the best mosquito repellent?
Here is a guide to help you choose the best safe and effective mosquito repellent.
- Look for DEET free mosquito repellents
DEET is a commonly found active ingredient in many repellents. It is formulated to repel and not kill the insects. But DEET has many side effects like irritation in eyes, rashes or blistering and even headaches and dizziness. It can also prove fatal if used in quantities over and above those mentioned in the leaflet.
Though an effective way to keep mosquitoes away, I would personally try to avoid products with DEET considering the long-term safety of my kids.
- Buy a paediatrician approved repellent
Though there are many over the counter mosquito repellents available, they all may not be safe for kids, especially for those under 6 months old.
Choosing a product that is certified safe for infants by paediatricians is a better option.
The outdoor mosquito repellents by Goodknight are paediatrician certified as safe for babies. Good knight Fabric Roll-On and Good knight Patches are products that are paediatrician certified. Since these are to be applied on clothes, it relieves parents from the worry of applying products on their child's sensitive skin.
When choosing repellents that are to be applied on to skin, make sure you buy the ones that are certified dermatologically safe.
The good option here would be applying the skin-safe and non-sticky Goodknight Cool Gel for 8 hours of mosquito-protection.
Applying a full coat of mosquito repellent on to a jumping monkey (read any kid) is not easy. As a parent, I would prefer something that is easy to apply like Goodknight Fabric Roll-On and Goodknight Patches.
Just apply 4 dots of the Fabric Roll-On on clothes and stay protected for 8 hours. The 4 dots can also be applied on your infant's pram, cradle or cot. For Patches, stick them on to your child's back so that he/she does not pull it off.
It is very important how long the effect of the mosquito repellent you choose stays once applied or switched on. At least 7 to 8 hours protection is a must, especially, if you want to be mosquito protected during a long travel or while sleeping.
No one wants to take the hassle of reapplying or reusing the product every 2 to 3 hours. Go for the Goodknight outdoor mosquito repellents, as they provide 8 hours of protection.
A better way to be safe while using any repellents is to make sure the ingredients are natural. Natural oils like eucalyptus, citronella, etc. are very effective and safe if used as per the instructions given on the product. Goodknight Fabric Roll-On and Patches consist of these natural oils.
Apart from having the goodness of natural oils, Good knight Fabric Roll-On comes in 2 different fragrances to choose from, bubblegum and citrus fragrance which any kid will love.
The Patches come in a variety of fun Chhota Bheem designs, making them appealing to school going kids. Once you have chosen the product that works for you, always make sure to use it as per the instructions provided along with the product. This ensures the effective working of the product plus safety.
Hope this article has helped to clear the air so you can choose a safe and effective mosquito repellent!
Share your views too about the mosquito repellents you trust which have proven safe for kids.
