Friday, April 24, 2026
What families can do this weekend to keep kids safe outdoors
After one of the warmest winters on record, ticks are out earlier and in higher numbers than usual across much of the country.
Public health officials are already reporting above-average rates of ticks carrying the bacteria that cause Lyme disease.
The good news: simple habits — repellent, light clothing, and daily tick checks — dramatically lower the risk, and most tick bites do not lead to illness.
DEET (up to 30%), picaridin, and IR3535 are safe for most children over 2 months when applied to clothing and exposed skin. Avoid hands and faces for little ones.
Most ticks must stay attached for at least 24 to 36 hours to transmit Lyme disease. A same-day tick check is one of the most effective things a family can do.
Use fine-tipped tweezers, grasp close to the skin, and pull straight up with steady pressure. Skip the matches, nail polish, and petroleum jelly.
Ticks love warm, hidden spots: behind the ears, along the hairline, in the belly button, under arms, behind knees, and around the waistband.
Pets can carry ticks into the house. Talk to your vet about year-round tick prevention, and brush pets off before they come inside.
With tick activity already running ahead of schedule in many regions, this is the moment for proactive family messaging. Consider a short spring handout or portal message covering repellent choice, tick-check routines, and when to call — and review your post-exposure prophylaxis protocol for single-dose doxycycline in eligible patients so your team is aligned before peak visits hit in May and June.
Source: AAP and IDSA Lyme disease clinical practice guidelines
