Radio Commentary
This is the time
of year that parents should think about the risk of bees stinging their
children and take some precautions.
Honeybees will
sting if provoked or if they’re defending their nests.
The UC Division
of Agriculture and Natural Resources has a list of precautions that children
can take to avoid getting injured by bees.
First, children
should be taught to stay away from ALL bee swarms and colonies.
If they
encounter a bee swarm, children should run away quickly. Teach them to protect
their faces and eyes as much as possible while running.
Children should
get inside a car or building to take shelter. Tell children not to swat at
bees. Rapid motions will cause them to sting.
If
children do get stung, tell them to go quickly to a safe area, such as a
building or vehicle.
The bee’s stinger should be removed
as soon as possible. Do not squeeze the stinger because pressure will release
more venom. Instead, scrape out the stinger with a fingernail or credit card.
Wash the sting
area with soap and water. Then, apply an ice pack for a few minutes to relieve
pain and swelling.
Be sure to seek
medical attention if your child has trouble breathing, or has been stung
numerous times.
These simple
steps can go a long way to prevent bee stings, or at least to ease the pain after
being stung.
