How to Safely Flea Bomb With Small Children

Oh no! That wasn't a speck of dust you spotted sitting on the couch next to your beloved puppy. It was a flea that decided to catch a free ride into your home the last time the pup went out to play ball with your child. Get these invaders out of your house as soon as possible to prevent the infestation from getting worse and causing frustration and irritation for yourself, your children and your pets.

Arrange for your children to be with a sitter or at daycare when you set off the bombs so there is no chance that they will be exposed to the chemicals as they're set off.

Read all the instructions on the flea bomb packaging before you set it off. While it might seem like a boring read, you'll ensure that everyone remains safe and you use the product appropriately. Chemicals tend to have a larger impact on children whose bodies aren't as able to handle foreign substances as well as adults.

Use only the number of bombs necessary for the size of the room you're bombing 2. You might only need to use one bomb for two or three rooms instead of one in each room. Most are designed to be used for a room with a certain volume, which you can determine by multiplying the length by the width and height of the room. For example, a room that measures 8 feet wide by 8 feet long by 8 feet tall has a volume of 512 cubic feet.

Keep the bombs away from any sources of fumes or anything that can ignite, such as pilot lights for furnaces and stoves. Also place them at least 6 feet away from appliances that regularly switch on and off, such as air conditioners or refrigerators.

Tell anyone that might come over or enter your house ahead of time that you're going to bomb so they don't go in while the chemicals are active in the air. Inform relatives, your spouse and childcare providers that it isn't going to be safe to go in until the proper time has elapsed.

Air the area out after it's safe to enter your home 1. Open all the doors and windows and then leave for another hour or two to give additional time for the chemicals to clear the air.

Wash and dry all blankets, pillows, laundry and anything else that was exposed to the flea bomb. You'll also want to clean surfaces, toys and anything else that might pose a health risk, especially if your child likes to put things in his mouth.