Are Mosquito Repellent Incense Sticks Harming Your Child? Know the Risks and Safer Choices
Jayant Deshpande
( Secretary, Home Insecticide Control Association (HICA))
In the numerous Indian homes, particularly during peak mosquito season, burning mosquito repellent incense sticks has become a common practice being affordable. Often promoted as herbal or natural solutions, these purported insecticide control products are typically packaged in green, eco-friendly designs and claim to contain ingredients like citronella or aloe vera. They are sold under names like Comfort, Sleepwell, Relax, and High Voltage having multiple makers in different region. The product appearance looks as harmless, many of these mosquito repellent sticks are illegal or unregulated by Central Insecticide Board that may pose significant risks, particularly for children.
Watch out Health of your kid
If your child has been falling sick frequently—persistent coughs, cold, or irritation without fever—you may want to look beyond infections and consider environmental triggers and indoor exposures. One unexpected culprit that you believe a part of solution yet may be unsafe? Check on the mosquito repellent agarbatti used at home and ensure it is from approved authority or properly regulated complying legal standards.
Despite popularity of cheap products, these illegal sticks are not government approved. That means they haven’t passed the necessary safety and efficacy tests and contain unregulated or unapproved chemicals. Manufacturers don’t follow proper process whether it is using approved chemicals in a prescribed quantity or adhering to safety rules. These unregulated products substances, when burned and inhaled, can irritate the respiratory tract and impact children’s developing lungs.
Don’t Be Fooled by “Herbal” Claims
Don’t be fooled by mentions of herbal ingredients. Simply stating ‘citronella’ or ‘aloe vera’ and attractive picture on packs that does not guarantee that the product is safe. These buzzwords are often used to create a false sense of natural safety while masking the presence of harmful synthetic additives. Products may have green packaging and attractive design but note they are not ayurvedic or natural.
How to Identify Safe, Government-Approved Mosquito Repellents
When choosing a mosquito repellent, always choose only legal and safe solutions approved by the Central Insecticide Board & Registration Committee (CIBRC), a body under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ministry. Always check for a CIR registration number on the packaging. Just as we rely on ISI or BIS certification for helmets, electronics, or medicines, the CIR number confirms that the product has been tested and approved by government authorities. Credible and government approved brands like Goodknight publish this CIR number on packs of their liquid vapourisers. It’s a vital indicator of both efficacy and safety.
Why Warning Labels on Approved Products Matter
Some parents question the presence of warning labels on approved repellents. But this is standard for any chemical-based product. Labels are not a red flag—they are instructions for responsible usage, safe use and disposal including solution for irritations if any just like you would find on cleaning products, medicines, or even kitchen disinfectants.
Stay Informed and Choose Wisely
Diseases like malaria and dengue remain serious threats. Mosquito prevention is important but so is doing it right. By using only government-approved repellents and staying away from illegal incense-based products, you not only protect your child from vector-borne illnesses but also shield them from hidden toxins. Choose wisely because when it comes to your child’s health, every breath matters. For all-night protection—especially when kids are most at risk—liquid vapourisers work best. Knowing which product to use, and when, helps families stay safe without worrying about side effects.