New Campaign Emphasizes Health Aspect of Screens

For Health's Sake … Screen It

(HIT) - "For Health’s Sake", a vigorous new campaign introduced at the 52nd Annual Screen Manufacturer's Association Meeting in Florida, is tasked with revitalizing and refocusing industry efforts countrywide to the necessity of window screening for ventilation and protection against infectious disease.

For hundreds of years screens in various forms have been used to provide comfort, as well as a barrier between infectious insects. The screening industry and its advanced technology developed methods to weave tighter screens for doors and windows allowing comfortable ventilation without distorting the outside view. And while many industries focus on providing the necessary information, installation and repair of screens to protect and prevent the spread of disease there is a movement gaining momentum in the Minnesota Legislature to focus attention on insect screens as security devices rather than on their intended use, for health and ventilation.

When the Screen Manufacturers Association developed the "Kids Can’t Fly" program in 1985, it was because of an urgent need to inform the general public that screens were to keep insects out, not children in. The primary message in this campaign was of course to not think that insect screens are a form of physical security for children or adults. In actuality, they have always been and will be a tool to keep modern man protected from external health issues while in the home.

Below are routines and reminders to help homeowners maintain health by understanding the history, the morphing threat of insects, and the danger of not having proper screening installed.

Keeping Mosquitoes Out Of Your Home

Check all doors, windows and window screens, making sure these are in good repair and are tight. Replacement screens should be 18 x 16 mesh per inch. Mosquitoes in the home may be sprayed with aerosol sprays containing pyrethrins. Reduce outdoor lighting to reduce attraction of the home to mosquitoes. Keeping porch lights off and replacing traditional white light bulbs with yellow ones will also help to reduce attraction.

Flooding or heavy rainfall produce temporary quiet pools of water which can remain for weeks, available for mosquito breeding. Mosquito reproduction is rapid and a generation can be completed in as few as 5 -7 days. Hot, dry periods would quickly dry out water pools and strand many mosquito larvae while warm weather with continuous rainfall would encourage rapid buildup. Some species, however, are able to increase in mid-to-late summer. These often include the Culex mosquitoes which can transmit the West Nile Virus.

Understanding Why the United States Seem To Have Fewer Mosquito-Borne Diseases Than Other Parts Of The World?

Our lifestyle and our living conditions protect us. I've always said that the three main reasons more Americans don't die from mosquito-vectored diseases are: window screens; air conditioning; and prime-time TV. We're not outside as much as we used to be. And when we're outside, we're jogging and outrunning the mosquitoes!

What Can Individuals Do to Provide Effective Personal Protection?

Consider "The Three Ps" – Protect one's self; Prevent breeding; and Premises control when looking for protection. When you're outdoors, protect yourself by wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothing with long sleeves and pants. Mosquitoes can bite through tight blue jeans. Use a repellent. Use products with DEET, or botanical alternatives. To "prevent breeding," eliminating sources of standing water around your property. Mosquitoes can lay eggs in a very small amount of water. Premises control means making sure mosquitoes don't get inside your house. Checking your window and door screens for holes. Making sure your screen door shuts quickly. And installing yellow lighting outside that won't attract mosquitoes.

There are many citations which all point to the installation and maintenance of screens for health safety. For additional information contact the Screen Manufacturers Association, 2850 So. Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach, FL 33480-6205 or visit SMA's website at http://www.smacentral.org.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center