Summertime presents some poison risks that parents should be aware of with their kids. What are some of the types of calls the Poison Center gets from parents and caregivers this time of year?

Calls come in about snakebites and of course wasps and bees. Most of the patients with bee stings are safely managed at home. The snakebites are a different story and should probably be managed in a health care facility.

Parents worry that if their child is stung by a bee that she/he will have a severe reaction to it. What should parents know to help their child if she/he does get stung?

If there is a stinger, remove it and wash the bite site with soap and water to help prevent infection. Remove jewelry near the bite site because swelling may occur. You can also apply a cloth-covered ice pack for 15 minutes every 30 minutes to reduce the swelling and pain. If your child develops difficulty breathing, call 911 immediately.

Of course, what we would like to do is prevent the sting or insect bite from occurring in the first place. It's best to avoid the use of scented soaps, perfumes and hair spray, which tend to attract insects. Wear lightweight, light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and pants to aid in the prevention of bites as well as sunburn protection. And when you take your child to the playground or pool, check around the area to make sure there is not a swarm of bees or a bee's or wasp's nest nearby.

Dusk and dawn are when mosquitoes are most active, so outdoor activities should be limited at these times. Using an insect repellant can also be helpful. DEET is the ingredient used in most insect repellents. There are some health concerns, however, when products containing DEET are used on children.

I've heard that DEET is bad for kids? What is DEET and how is it harmful to children?

DEET is a chemical used in most insect repellants and provides the longest protection times over other types of repellants. Other repellents do work but may need to be applied more frequently. Products containing DEET are available in a variety of forms such as lotions and sprays. These products contain from 4% to 100% DEET. When used correctly and according to label directions, DEET is a safe and effective means of repelling insects, especially mosquitoes. If you are uncomfortable using a DEET containing product, consider a Picaridin containing insect repellent.

"Be Smart" Safety Precautions

· Keep products out of reach of children at all times.

· Read and follow the directions on the product label.

· Do not use in children less than 2 months of age.

· Never use greater than 30% DEET on children. Choose the lowest concentration for the time spent outdoors. Ten (10%) DEET is effective for about 2 hours.

· Do not apply over open wounds, abrasions or irritated skin.

· Do not apply to hands or near eyes or mouth of young children.

· Do not use under clothing.

· Avoid prolonged or excessive use. Do not apply DEET more than once a day.

· Apply sparingly to skin or clothing.

· To apply to face, spray on your hands first then rub on child's face.

· After returning indoors, wash treated skin with soap and water.

· Wash treated clothing before wearing it again.

· Do not spray in enclosed areas.

Health Concerns in Children

· DEET is absorbed through the skin, and repeated use can result in greater risk for poisoning.

· Children have a greater chance for DEET poisoning.

· Accidental ingestion of DEET in children may result in serious, rapid poisoning. Effects include sleepiness, drunken walk, confusion, tremors, seizures, coma and sometimes death.

· Skin effects can include burning sensation, blisters and scarring. Both mild and very serious allergic reactions have been reported.

If your child exhibits any of these symptoms, call the PoisonCenter immediately at 1-800-222-1222.

I remember hearing about West Nile virus (WNV) the last couple of summers. What exactly is it and is it going to be a problem again this summer?

The West Nile virus is carried long distances by infected birds and then spread locally by mosquitoes that bite these birds. The mosquitoes can then pass the virus to humans when they bite. It is very rare to catch the virus and most infected people will not even get sick or will only experience mild flu-like symptoms. However, West Nile virus can be fatal.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment released a statement in 2006 advising people to take precautions against West Nile virus but they also said that they can't predict how severe the virus season will be each year. There is a Web site that viewers can log onto to get more information on the West Nile virus - www.FightTheBiteColorado.com.

At the Rocky Mountain Poison Center, the most frequent questions we get regarding the West Nile virus are:

1. If I've already had WNV, am I immune? Answer: Yes, if your diagnosis was confirmed by either a blood test or spinal tap. It's still important to use insect repellents since mosquitoes can cause other types of encephalitis or meningitis.
2. Questions about how long the protection time with DEET containing insect repellents is and its proper use as we discussed earlier.
3. Can my dog get WNV? Answer: Yes, they probably can but most don't seem to get really sick.
4. Callers have questions about larvacides to use in their backyard ponds. If there is circulating water in their pond, they needn't be concerned, but if there is stagnant water, they need to consider a laravacide. Callers can call our COHELP toll free # 1-877-462-2911 to discuss various options.

What about when families go hiking or camping? What should they do to protect their kids from poisons in this environment?

In addition to mosquito and spider bites, snake bites are another concern. If a poisonous snakebite is suspected, it's important to remain calm, reassure the victim and arrange for immediate, rapid and safe transport to medical care. You should immobilize the affected area. If bit on the arm, make a sling (not a tourniquet). If bit on the leg, splint the leg and have the victim lie flat with the affected area positioned at or below the level of the heart. Do not use ice or cold application and do not cut the wound to suck out the venom. This may cause more injury to the victim and can release poison into the mouth of the person tending the wound.

And we would like to emphasize prevention of the injury/bite. When hiking, children and adults should wear at least ankle high shoes or boots (the taller the better). Teach your children not to stick their hands or feet into woodpiles, deep grass or crevices. Snakes like rocky, sunny areas, so be particularly aware of these areas. Make sure your children stay away from snakes. They can jump the length of their body when striking.

Safe Kids Denver Metro recommends that parents, grandparents and other caregivers post the Rocky Mountain Poison Center phone number by every phone - 1.800.222.1222. Your call is free and you can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week if you have a poison emergency or any questions.

And remember to keep bug sprays, cleaners, medicines and other harmful products out of the reach and sight of children. If possible, keep the products locked up and always in their original containers.

For more information, contact Safe Kids at www.thechildrenshospital.org/safekids.

Safe Kids Denver Metro is part of a global network of coalitions and organizations who are working to reduce the incidence of accidental injuries and death to children. Accidental trauma is the leading cause of death in children. Our coalition has about 50 active members in the Denver Metro area who are committed to working together to address the issues surrounding injuries. The Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Center is a member of Safe Kids.

The Children's Hospital North Campus gives kids the specialized pediatric care they deserve, closer to home including around-the-clock Urgent Care, Specialist Care by appointment, advanced diagnostics and imaging and a brand new service: Observation Care. Observation care is designed as an alternative to hospitalization for simpler health issues. The North campus is located on Highway 7 in Broomfield, 1/2 mile west of I-25.