Insect stings

General guidelines to reduce the risk of exposure to insect stings include:

• Keep garbage cans covered with tightly fitted lids in outdoor play areas.
• Consider restricting eating areas to designated locations inside the school building during daily routines. This allows for closer supervision, avoids school yard clean up, and helps reduce the prevalence of stinging insects.
• Have insect nests professionally relocated or destroyed, as appropriate.

People who are allergic to stinging insects should:

• always carry an epinephrine auto-injector with them during insect season (varies by region; the risk of insect stings is higher in the warmer months)
• stay away from areas where stinging insects gather such as gardens, hedges, fruit trees, and garbage cans
• wear light colours and avoid loose flowing garments or hair that could entrap an insect (tie hair back)
• wear shoes instead of sandals during the warm weather (do not go barefoot)
• avoid substances that attract insects, e.g. perfumes, colognes and highly scented suntan lotions, cosmetics, hair sprays and deodorants
• drink from cups rather than beverage cans or bottles where insects can hide
• use a straw if drinking beverages outdoors
• consult with an allergist to determine if they are appropriate candidates for venom immunotherapy, a de-sensitization program which is highly effective

More information about insect sting allergy can be found at Tools & info.