9 Useful Tips For Parents To Keep Their Children Safe This Holi

During Holi, while children can't wait to have a splash of colors, parents are sometimes worried about the after-effects of playing with colors. From water balloons, pichkaris (water gun) to friendly fights and color powder smears, if not celebrated with caution, the festival of Holi can become extremely dangerous for children.

Now, some good news. You can retain the smile on your child's face by making these smart parenting moves to make Holi enjoyable but safe:

1. Use organic colors: Synthetic colors are a big no-no. Non-toxic, organic, natural or herbal colors are better as they don't contain any chemicals. It will be softer on your child's skin, and will be easier to wash off.
2. Avoid water balloons: Playing with balloons is fun, but if thrown at a person with force, especially at children, it can cause serious injuries to the eyes, ears, and skin. Let your children know about the dangers of using balloons, and encourage them to use the simple pichkaris instead.
3. Get the goggles: Colors can be very harsh on the eye. Get your child to wear funky goggles to steer clear of eye damage or infection while playing Holi.
4. Choose the right clothes: Make your child wear full-sleeved shirts and long pants. The idea is to prevent exposing the skin to colors as much as possible.
5. Pay attention to skin care: Apply generous amounts of petroleum jelly or moisturizers on your child's skin. To safeguard the scalp and hair, apply coconut oil.
6. Tell children about 'water manners': Before they start playing Holi, guide your children so that they do not take aim with water guns at people's faces. Also, talk to them about consent and respect other's wishes, and not force an unwilling friend to play.
7. Be ready for emergencies: Keep the contact number of your pediatrician and the nearest hospital handy. You never know when you may need them, considering Holi involves so many hidden dangers.
8. No play zone near food: Even natural color powder, when ingested can be dangerous for children. Intake of colors can cause severe outbursts of reaction and food poisoning. Show your child to avoid oral contact with colors.
9. Keep an eye on your child: Watching where your child plays is very important. To avoid any kind of untoward incident, keep a close eye on them. They may not like it, but tell them that you just love to see the way they are playing with colors.

Remember, Holi is a time for colorful celebrations. Indulge in fun-filled activities even as you savor tasty delicacies. Let your lives be filled with happy colors, good health, and memorable moments! Happy Holi!

Also read: How families can have a safe Holi: Precautions to take for your eyes, hair and nails