| You and your family are ready for our weekend | | | | important instructions. |
| camping trip. You've got the tents, sleeping bags, | | | | 2. Use just enough of the insect repellent to |
| marshmallows and the insect repellent. | | | | cover exposed skin and clothing. |
| You know how to use the tents and sleeping | | | | 3. Try applying a little bit of the repellent to a |
| bags, and you know what to do with the | | | | small patch of skin before covering all exposed |
| marshmallows. But are you sure you know how | | | | skin. If the small patch of skin becomes red or |
| to use the insect repellent? And use it safely? | | | | irritated, don't use the repellent. |
| It sounds like a ridiculous question. But, | | | | 4. Apply the repellent to yourself in open spaces, |
| unfortunately, people have been hurt and have | | | | don't spray it on in your tiny bathroom. Go out |
| gotten sick because they used the repellent | | | | onto your front porch to spray it. |
| improperly. | | | | 5. Avoid spraying the repellent directly onto your |
| Accidentally swallowing bug repellents or getting | | | | face. |
| any repellent in the eyes can be extremely | | | | 6. Don't spray or apply the repellent to the hands |
| hazardous to your health and your children's | | | | of children. They can put their hands in their |
| health. Many people have complained that insect | | | | mouths or eyes and cause possible problems. |
| repellents cause them to break out in rashes and | | | | 7. When you come in from your outdoor |
| hives, and there have even been cases of serious | | | | excursion, wash all exposed skin with soap and |
| nervous system illness from the use of insect | | | | water, and immediately wash all treated clothes. |
| repellents. | | | | 8. If you accidentally get repellent in your eyes, |
| Spraying the repellent into your eyes, or touching | | | | flush your eyes with water. Forcefully hold your |
| your eyes with your repellent-covered hands can | | | | eyelids open, and let the water rinse your eyes. |
| lead to problems that range from minor eye | | | | The longer you let the water cleanse your eyes, |
| irritations to serious corneal abrasions and ulcers. | | | | the better. The water might me uncomfortable, |
| To guarantee the safest and most effective use | | | | but it could save you from serious problems that |
| of your insect repellent, follow these few safety | | | | can result from the repellent. See your doctor if |
| tips: | | | | your eyes seem damaged or irritated. |
| 1. Always read the repellent label and package | | | | 9. If you accidentally swallow some insect |
| insert carefully and completely before suing the | | | | repellent, rinse your mouth out with water several |
| product. Notice any cautions or warnings. And | | | | times. If you have any liquid antihistamine |
| follow the directions as carefully as possible | | | | medication, rinse your mouth out with that too. |
| concerning where to use the spray just on | | | | This helps avoid any possible allergic skin reactions |
| clothing or on bare skin, when to use it, how | | | | in your mouth. |
| often you need to reapply the repellent and other | | | | |