The easiest way to prevent a tick bite is to stay out of areas where ticks live. However, that's not always possible, especially for the avid camper, hiker, hunter, fisherman or even the weekend gardener.
If you or your child are going to be in a wooded area where ticks are present, the best protection is a good insect repellent that contains at least 25 percent DEET.
Having your child wear a long sleeved shirt and long pants tucked into his socks also helps create a tick barrier, while light colored clothing will make it easier to spot ticks that you or your child may pick up along the way.
To limit exposure, backpackers, campers and hunters should avoid brushy areas if possible. For example setting up camp in a clearing is a good practice to help reduce the chance of encountering ticks.
Regardless of the precautions you and your child take while enjoying outdoor activities, it is still good practice to frequently check for ticks and remove them promptly. By doing so, you can greatly reduce the risk that you or your child will contract a disease even if bitten. Look for ticks at the hairline, behind the ears as well as behind knees, at the waistline, and in armpits.
If you find a tick on your body, removing it correctly and promptly is key.
If possible, use a tweezers to grasp the tick forward of its head as close to the skin as possible.
Wash your hands and the wound area with soap and water after removal and handling a tick.
Don't use petroleum jelly, a hot match, nail polish, or other products to remove a tick - these "remedies" are not effective and may be harmful.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website [2] is a good resource for additional information on tick-borne disease prevention and details specific diseases associated with certain ticks found regionally in the United States, tick identification as well as diagnosis and treatment.
Links:
[1] http://www.buggspray.com
[2] http://www.cdc.gov