Although monsoon is a great time of the year, parents often have a hard time with children. Here are a few tips for parents to keep children healthy during monsoons.Children like to get wet in the rain especially during the first showers of monsoon. Monsoon is a blessed time of the year when crops and plants receive water. The lakes and rivers fill and availability of water in every country depends on the onset of the monsoon.
Every year people pray for the rain so that there is some respite from the summer heat. Monsoon plays a very important role in our life. Children in India start school during the monsoon. Here are a few ways parents can keep their children
safe and healthy during the
rainy season.
Boil Water
Water borne
diseases are one of the most common reasons for falling sick during the monsoon. Always drink boiled water or filtered and purified water. This will help you and your children stay healthy. You can ask for mineral water when you travel.
Avoid Outside Food
One never knows what kind of water is being used while eating roadside food or street food during the monsoons. Hence, it is better to avoid outside food. During the rainy season, fruits and vegetables are often muddy and unclean. Only eat at places where you are sure the food is hygienic. Provide children with home-made tiffins whenever possible.v
Avoid Stale Food
Avoid non-veg and sea food during the rains. It is often a breeding time for bacteria. Avoid offering leftover and stale food at home. Provide children clean water. Wash vegetables thoroughly before cooking. Fresh food is the best method to stay healthy.
Do Not Buy Cut Vegetables and Fruits
Avoid buying readily available cut fruits or vegetables. They might lead to infections. Ask children to avoid roadside chaats. Freshly cut fruits and vegetables are the best for monsoon. Do not give children raw food. Avoid salads and stick to steamed, boiled or cooked foods during rainy season.
Avoid Leafy Vegetables
Avoid leafy vegetables in monsoon as they can contain larvae, dust and
worms. Although green, leafy vegetables must be avoided, you can stock up on some other fruits and vegetables such as bitter gourd and lychees. Bitter gourd is a great substitute as you will be avoiding sea food, etc. Though children are not so fond of it, you can try various ways to cook it to reduce the bitterness.
Ask Children to Be Away from Dirty Water
Playing in stagnant or dirty water can cause diseases. Ask children to avoid playing in muddy or dirty water. Also do not allow stagnant water to remain near your house as it is a breeding place for mosquitoes. Keep your children away from the dirty monsoon water to avoid infections.
Always ensure that children are wearing the appropriate footwear before stepping out of the house. Do not allow your kids to go out barefoot. Soil contains various types of germs. Do not allow them to walk around barefoot even in the lawns or gardens during this season.
Wash Hands and Legs
Always ask kids to come home and
wash the hands and legs even if they refuse to do so. Convince them and teach them the importance of having to clean their hands and feet in order to stay healthy. This habit is important in rainy season however it is a good practice in general also.
Carry Umbrella and Raincoat
Ask your kids to carry an umbrella or raincoat whenever they step out in the rain. Although children love to get wet in the rain they also hate it when they fall sick. Hence, tell them that it is for their own good if they wear raincoat and carry umbrella to protect themselves from the rains.
Keep the Children Warm and Dry
Sometimes during heavy rains, it is not possible to avoid getting wet even though children have protected themselves. Ask children to wash their hand and feet properly and change into fresh, dry clothes immediately after coming home if they have become wet. This will ensure that they do not fall sick.
These are some of the simple precautions one can take during the monsoon. Children should visit the doctor in case they are not feeling alright. We need to take some extra care during the monsoon.
Which illnesses are prevalent in children during monsoons? How to prevent rainy season illnesses in children? What are the ways to boost immunity of children during monsoons? Discuss here. 
