Buzzy Buggy Summers

With outdoor summer fun may come some unwelcome guests: mosquitoes!

Around the North Country those creatures are far from popular. CCHD even blogged about how pesky they were and how to reduce the potential breeding grounds around your house last year.

This year, many people's concerns are on Zika, West Nile, EEE, and other illnesses that are spread by mosquitoes. One way to protect yourself and your family is through using an insect repellent on skin when outdoors. Repellents containing 20% or more DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide) can protect up to several hours. Always follow product instructions. Parents should apply this product to their children, avoiding the hands, eyes, and mouth.

For detailed information about using DEET on children, see recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics. For more DEET info, check out the CDCs information sheet.

Enjoy that outdoor summer fun - safely, and without those irritating mosquitoes!

Getting Your Kids to Eat Their Veggies

Many mealtimes can be frustrating for adults when they try to get children to eat their vegetables. However, one encouraging idea is to have kids grow their own food. Research supports that children will eat more vegetables when they participated in helping them get to the table.

Want to learn more? Here are some helpful places to start:

• Cornell Cooperative Extension of Clinton County. They have a number of great community resources, ideas, and even some classes you and/or your kids can try out.
• Kids Gardening. A website focused on parents and teachers to encouraging growing everything from food to flowers. They even have a fun garden birthday party idea!
• EarthEasy. This site has a lot of fun and fast ideas to maintain children's interest in what they are growing by picking faster crops, or starting small and working your way up.