As your family heads outside to enjoy the warm weather, remember to guard against those pesky creatures that bite and sting. According to the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), your first line of defense is to be prepared.

"While most people have mild reactions to insect bites, some people have severe allergic reactions that require emergency treatment," said David Wilcox, MD, of ACEP. "In addition, some insects carry disease, such as Lyme, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and encephalitis, although this is rare."

While it's impossible to prevent all insect bites and stings, there are steps you can take to minimize the risks. For example:

• Use insect repellent. Repellents with DEET are effective in preventing bites by mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, chiggers, and biting flies. Repellents for children should contain no more than 10 percent DEET. Do not use DEET on babies.
• Don't use scented soaps, perfumes, hair sprays, or sunscreens, which can attract bugs.
• Avoid going out during peak hours when insects are out — dusk and dawn.
• Avoid areas where insects nest or gather, such as stagnant pools of water, garbage cans, and orchards and gardens where flowers are in bloom.
• Don't leave food, drinks, or garbage out and uncovered.
• When outdoors in grassy or flowery areas, or in areas infested with ticks or mosquitoes, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants and protective shoes. Avoid dressing in bright colors or flowery prints, which seem to attract insects. Don't wear baggy clothing, which can trap bugs.
• Check yourself and your children for ticks after leaving infested areas. If you find one, and you know how to remove it, do so. Otherwise, call your physician immediately.
• Children and adults who are highly allergic should wear identification bracelets, and adrenaline auto-injectors should be available at all times.

If a bite wound remains or worsens over several days, seek medical treatment for possible infection. Get immediate medical attention if you have been bitten or stung and you know you get dangerously ill from a bite. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include:

• Hives, itching or rash away from the bite area.
• Swollen lips or eyelids.
• Swelling of the throat.
• Difficult or noisy breathing (wheezing).
• Decreased consciousness.

"If your child is stung by a bee, it's important to remove the stinger," said Dr. Wilcox. "Scrape or flick it out with something stiff like a credit card to avoid squeezing more venom into the wound. Also, wash the wound with soap and water, and use cold compresses or ice to help reduce swelling and relieve pain."

More than two million Americans are allergic to stinging insects. Each year, nearly a million emergency department visits are due to reactions to insect bites or stings.