Tips To Protect Your Children In Monsoon Season

Monsoon is a seasonal prevailing wind in the region of South and SE Asia, blowing from the south-west between May and September and bringing rain (the wet monsoon). The season is a welcome relief from scorching heat and rain clouds with refreshing showers rejuvenate everyone. Despite the euphoria surrounding rain, the season also brings in a lot of diseases primarily because white blood cells weaken due to temperature fluctuations and thus lowers our immunity making us more prone to infections, viruses and other ailments.

As it is said prevention is better than cure so we must take a few precautions so that we can enjoy the rains and at the same time are safe and protected during monsoon season.

During the monsoon season, we still need to go out; children need to go to schools and parents to work or for that matter to buy household essentials and other things. So while going out we must protect ourselves from getting wet. We must wear protective gears such as lightweight and durable fabrics, hooded, waterproof rain jacket; waterproof rain pants for keeping your entire lower body warm and dry; rubber waterproof rain boot. These can do a fantastic job at keeping your feet warm and dry; an umbrella is an obvious option as it’s just like a synonym for rain and lasts but not the least is the waterproof pack cover as it will ensure that all our things are protected from getting wet.

Before the monsoon season, class-wise student engagement programme is organised in ASPAM Scottish School, one of the best schools in Noida, where students discuss ailments of monsoon season and how they can keep themselves safe. During the presentation, the students discuss how stored water in any container is a storehouse of diseases. So it is always recommended to empty the container or if the water is to be stored, it must be stored in a covered container. Stagnant water causes may disease especially among children.

Dengue is one of the common illnesses affecting children and adults in monsoon. Its symptoms include rash, high fever, etc. The best way to avoid the occurrence is to advise children to stay away from puddles to evade contracting this illness.

Another common monsoon season disease is fungal infections. It is because with the skin being moist and wet all the time, chances of developing fungal infections are quite high. Children must be instructed to dry themselves after coming home as fungus frequently breeds when the skin is moist and not exposed to air. Thus it is imperative that skin must be kept dry at all times.

Damp conditions don’t just facilitate the growth of bacteria, fungi and viruses, but they also become a breeding ground for mosquitoes that causes Malaria so children must be advised to stay away from puddles of water and places where there is stagnant water. As a preventive measure mosquito repellents can be used and wearing full sleeve clothes while sleeping is highly recommended.

Another way by which we can keep our children safe during monsoon season is telling them to drink clean, purified and filtered water as contaminated water too causes many diseases.

Gastrointestinal diseases and typhoid are caused due to infections from contaminated food and water. So children must be counselled to avoid consuming food and drinks from roadside stalls. They must also shirk from eating cut fruits, vegetables and juices during the monsoons because they might have been cut in advance and may be contaminated or infected with germs or toxins. Also, avoid food and raw fruits that have not been washed well. Dysentery, diarrhoea and various other stomach ailments are also a few of the infections that are most prevalent during the rainy season.

During monsoon season besides water-borne diseases, airborne diseases or respiratory infections such as allergies and asthma peak as during the first monsoon showers, rain often brings down with it pollen, dust and various pollutants from the air hence there is a chance of catching allergies. Thus the children who suffer from allergies or asthma should always keep their medication handy during this disease-prone season.

Conjunctivitis is another common monsoon malaise. So the children should be suggested not to share handkerchiefs or towels, wash hands frequently, avoid overly crowded areas and should be kept in isolation in case they come in contact with conjunctivitis and thus break the chain of the spread of infection.

The best way to prevent the spread of monsoon related diseases is to develop strong personal hygiene i.e. washing of hands at regular intervals and also washing hands properly before and after a meal, using sanitizers, not sharing handkerchiefs with others etc. Also while cooking meals at home one needs to be careful. Make sure to thoroughly clean vegetables and fruits before using them. And if you are consuming raw fruits or vegetables at home, ensure to steam or boil them before eating.

It is also recommended to get your children vaccinated for flu, influenza that is rampant during monsoon season. It’s not only children but adults too can take timely shots of vaccines to present themselves from seasonal diseases.

So let’s reiterate the tips for keeping children healthy during Monsoon season.

• Avoid giving too much junk food to children.
• Prevent children from having street foods during monsoons.
• Avoid giving cut and unwashed raw fruits to children
• Preferably bathe your children in hot water instead of cold water.
• Ask children to play indoors during heavy rain.
• Stop children from cycling in the monsoon as dirty water splashes on their feet.
• Avoid visiting crowded places with children.
• Put extra emphasis on the practice of right personal hygiene.
• It’s easier to catch infections when you spend your whole day in an enclosed, air-conditioned room. Hence, encourage your children to take small breaks to get some fresh air in between.
• Most people think we only need to increase our water intake in the summers since that’s when we perspire most. But humid conditions during the monsoon drain our body too and we need to replenish the lost water. Thus carry a water bottle from home to avoid drinking contaminated water when you’re outside. Also, make sure to drink 7-8 glasses of water every day.

Moral: Rains are often an alluring time for everyone and for kids particularly it’s sheer joy. Falling sick during the time of enjoyment is also not worthwhile. Thus keep your child’s feet and body protected from dirty puddles of rainwater. Be extra hygiene cautious while preparing food. Although cough and cold are common maladies of monsoon season advice by a doctor for the same is recommended. Encourage children to take a bath with clean water and drink purified water.

We at ASPAM Scottish School, one of the best Schools in Noida tell our students to enjoy the beauty of the rains but at the same time ensure to take good care of their body and health! As clean surroundings are the synonym of healthy you especially during monsoon season.