Do your kids know how to identify and avoid poison ivy? This preschooler is pointing to some poison ivy growing onto a tree, so that he knows to avoid it.
You can help kids avoid poison ivy by showing them where it is and what it looks like...
Photo (c) 2007 Vincent Iannelli, MD licensed to About.com, Inc.
There are usually two basic types of kids with poison ivy:
- the one who has poison ivy for the first time and the parents are actually surprised that the rash is poison ivy,
- and those who keep getting poison ivy over and over again.
You can help your kids
avoid poison ivy by teaching them what it looks like (review our
pictures of poison ivy if you aren't sure yourself) and pointing it out in your neighborhood and wherever they play.
To be safe, wear long pants and a shirt with long sleeves, boots and gloves, to minimize the chance that you will accidently be exposed to poison ivy as you go looking for it and are pointing it out to your kids.
