Holi Safety Tips for Your Kids
Holi, the festival of colours, is just around the corner, and everyone is eagerly waiting to celebrate it, especially kids. However, as we prepare ourselves for the festival, we need to realise that the number of accidents that take place every year during the festival is high, given the carelessness and lack of knowledge in kids. Therefore, ensuring the safety of our kids is of utmost importance to keep any sudden mishaps from ruining the festive spirit.
Holi is the only festival where everyone indulges wholeheartedly in spraying colours and water at each other, no matter which part of the country they belong to. But while doing so, we tend to use colours that are laced with chemicals and can cause skin allergies, rashes, or hair damage. All these can be very damaging to the adult skin and hair, leave alone that of a child, whose skin is all the more delicate. However, in the midst of all this, you should also ensure that the spirit of Holi does not get dampened and that the kids have a blast while you enjoy yourselves with the grownups. So, it’s upon the parents to ensure precautions are taken ahead of time. Read on to find some tips and precautions to play it safe this Holi.
Tips to Celebrate a Safe Holi With Your Kids
1. Keep a Watch on Your Kid
Make sure that you or an adult is always present near your kid while he is playing with the colours or water, especially when a large drum or tub is used to supply water. The kid can accidentally fall into the tub or drum while bending down to draw water in his pichkari. So, always stay close to your kid. This will help in preventing accidents that otherwise may prevail.
2. Use Eco-Friendly Colours
Try opting for natural colours. You may make herbal and skin-friendly colours at home by using turmeric, sandalwood, henna, etc. Avoid using toxic colours which contain harmful chemicals that may cause skin allergies or rashes in kids. These eco-friendly colours are easy to wash off and cause no damage to the skin. In addition, your motive of celebrating Holi in an eco-friendly way will also be accomplished. ( Verified )
3. Use Pichkaris Safely
Advise your kid to use the pichkaris in a manner that will not cause any harm to others. Ask him to avoid spraying water on the face, in the eyes or ears of other kids.
4. Avoid Water Balloons
Water balloons are fun to play with, but they can hurt the person whom the balloon is being thrown at. The impact with which it falls on them may have adverse effects on the skin, eyes or ears.
5. Colours Should Be Kept Away from the Mouth
Make sure that you teach your children to not put colours in their mouth. These colours contain harmful chemicals, which if consumed, may cause severe reactions like vomiting and can even lead to poisoning.
6. Dressing in Appropriate Clothes
Make sure your kid wears a dress that completely covers the exposed skin. Full-sleeved clothing work great for both boys and girls. This is mainly to avoid the contact of colours directly with the skin.
7. Give Respect; Take Respect
Train your kid to respect other’s independence on the day of Holi. Ask your kid not be rude to neighbours, or colleagues and to not allow them to be rude either. Any aggressiveness should be curbed. Teach them that if someone is unwilling to join, forcing should never be resorted to. In addition, do not allow your kids to use eggs or mud to play Holi. Unclean behaviour should never be accepted.
8. Keep Emergency Numbers Handy
Keep a list of emergency contacts with you. The list should include the contacts of your kid’s doctor, ambulance, nearby hospitals, etc. If the kid is playing Holi with a bunch of his friends, be sure you have his friends’ parents’ contact numbers, too.
Skin and Hair Tips for Holi
Follow these steps to protect your child’s skin and hair from the harmful effects of colours while playing Holi.
1. Skin
Apply oil or cream all over our child’s body, before he goes out to play Holi. You may use coconut or olive oil to moisturise the skin. If required, you may apply sunscreen lotion to keep his skin moisturised to protect it from the sun rays, too. These skin care tips for Holi are to make sure that the skin and hair remain protected from the harmful effects of the chemical-based colours.
2.Hair
Oil your kid’s hair thoroughly the night before Holi. Repeat this in the morning as well. Kids with long hair, especially girls, should tie their hair before playing Holi. You may also tie a scarf on their head as a means of protection.
Holi, the festival of colour, is for bonding and celebrating. It sure is fun-filled, but also invites sudden accidents. Keep the tips given above in mind and prepare your kid before you send him out to celebrate the festival. Ensuring that your kid is safe and sound would give you peace of mind so that you too will be able to enjoy the festival wholeheartedly.
