Monsoon Precautions for School Children

The monsoon has brought much-needed relief from the scorching heat of the summer, but it has also brought the threat of infection from a host of potentially dangerous viruses and bacteria. And they’re all around; from the air we breathe to the water we drink. In addition to boiling water, there are some other necessary precautions that we must observe—especially in households with young children. Here are some tips to keep your child—and yourself—safe during the rainy season.

Drink Clean Water

While water catchments are filling up fast, the water that flows into the reservoirs and lakes comes from surrounding hillsides, and carries soil and dirt in its journey to the reservoirs. This muddies the water, and the turbidity can conceal a variety of germs. Local authorities have already advised citizens to boil drinking water before consuming it. And this is indeed an imperative. Remember even mildly contaminated drinking water poses serious threats to health. Do: Carry a bottle of clean drinking water. Mineral water from reputed brands, which have been certified by the authorities as clean, can also be consumed. Don’t: Share bottles, or drink from public taps.

Build Immunity

The start of the monsoon also signals the beginning of the new school year, in India. This is an exciting time for kids but can be fraught with worry for parents. Thrilled to meet their friends after the long summer hiatus, kids tend to bunch together with scant regard for health precautions. This means we must find other ways to safeguard school-going children’s health. And that means building their immunity. The dank, damp conditions that are part and parcel of the monsoon season offer ideal breeding grounds for cold and flu viruses and other airborne and waterborne infections.

Stay Out of the Rain

This is a tough one. Children love playing in the rain. It’s tempting, we agree. But the health risks that come with it, not so much. Do: pack a good quality raincoat or give your child a rain umbrella—no parasols, please—to carry. Do: Get your children out of their damp clothes, if they come home wet, and ensure they take a cleansing hot water bath.

Eat Immunity Boosting Foods

You can protect your children by boosting their immunity through a diet rich in Vitamin C and other nutrients. Do Eat more: Citrus fruits like orange, apple, guava, and vegetables like kale. These are rich in Vitamin C. Don’t: Pop supplements indiscriminately: Supplements offer an easy source of Vitamin C, but do not consume without a doctor’s prescription. It is far better and safer to get your nutrition from natural sources, i.e. fruits and vegetables.

Don’t Eat Street Food.

Street food is best avoided, especially during this season. Questionable hygiene in food preparation, ingredients, etc. can add the unwanted flavor of disease to the taste. Instead, pack tasty but healthy and hygienic food prepared at home.

Mask Up

With Covid seemingly on the wane, masks are no longer mandatory. But there are plenty of other viruses floating around and it behooves us to continue to observe the protocols that protected us during the worst of the Covid waves. So ensure your child wears a mask when he/she is with friends or in crowded places, and pack a hand sanitizer—backed with firm instructions to use it properly at regular intervals. Do: Pack a proper face mask—maybe even a spare, just in case.

Practice Hand Hygiene

The pandemic taught us the importance of washing one’s hands properly. This simple 20-second exercise probably saved millions from getting infected. And they can now save children too Children fidget: It’s a fact of life. They reach out, touch, and handle objects with scant regard for hygiene and safety. It is not really possible to change this behavior, but you can prevent the fallout by showing your children the correct way to wash their hands thoroughly and impress upon them the need to follow this practice frequently. Do: Pack a hand sanitizer in your child’s bag. Do: Teach children the proper way to wash their hands. And ensure they understand the need to do this regularly…especially before eating anything. Do: Impress upon your youngsters, the necessity to avoid touching eyes. Screens of laptops, tablets, and mobiles are prime residential enclaves for bacteria and viruses. Touching them transfers these germs to our fingers and hands, and thence to our eyes, nose, mouth, and ears if we’re not careful.

Be Watchful

Despite your best efforts, your child may come down with an ailment. In addition to the ever-present threats of cold and flu, other ailments, like hand-foot-and-mouth disease are a common problem during this season. Be alert for any unseemly rashes, sniffles, or breathlessness.

Vaccinate

If your children are eligible, ensure they get the covid jab. You can also protect them from the flu with the flu vaccine. Ask your doctor for one, or visit a reputed medical establishment.

Do Not Self Medicate, Visit Your Doctor

Home remedies like steam inhalation can help ease discomfort, but if symptoms persist, be wise and visit your friendly family medical expert, for many that's Jehangir Hospital. The hospital, and its many branches, run daily OPD clinics, manned by some of the best doctors in the city. Benefit from their experience and expert guidance. Make an appointment or walk in for a medical consult, whenever in doubt.