Rainy season: How to keep children safe, houses clean

The rain is here and this is a season, when children need to be properly cared for to keep them healthy and protected from the cold weather. Parents have work to do in this regard.

Dr. Margaret Egah, a medical doctor in Lagos, said the Nigerian weather, primarily, features a tropical kind of climate, where most of the seasons are very humid and damp.

“Generally, two climatic seasons prevail within Nigeria, the rainy season and dry season. Rainy season occurs between April and October in the south, while in the north, it is delayed till June. The climate observed is the result of the interactions between the ocean, the land and the atmosphere,” she said.

Dr. Egah said the magical season of rain brings out the best in all of us. “The dark rain clouds, cool breeze, feel of rain drops on our faces and smell of wet soil. All of these bring out the child in everyone. Kids, particularly, love the rainy season. They jump in water, making splashes and giggling, paper boat races, running on wet muddy grounds, getting messy and dirty. These are the simple pleasure and blessing of childhood.

“Parents should therefore understand that along with all the fun, there are many health related issues that come with this season. It is of utmost importance that children are protected from infections and water borne diseases. It is paramount for parents to keep their wards safe and houses clean and free of breeding mosquitoes,” Egah says.
Diet

To keep children healthy and happy during the rainy season, she advised parents to ensure that children eat the right food.
“Children should be given balanced diet with lots of vegetables and fruits to boost their immunity. Parents should avoid buying food from food vendors as this could predispose children to diarrhoea, when exposed to food contaminated by dirty and unhealthy water. Keep your child hydrated always by giving him/her boiled and cooled water because tap water may get contaminated.”

“Personal hygiene is essential. Wash hands before touching babies and toddlers, also encourage friends and other family members, including baby sitters to use hand sanitizer before carrying babies. Cut children’s finger nails short, leave wet umbrellas, footwear, wet clothes outside the house and use camphor to keep flies away.”
Ill health, symptoms and caution

Egah tasks parents to keep mosquitoes away, but to make sure there is no stagnant water around the house. “Stagnant water encourages breeding of mosquitoes. Malaria fever can be transmitted to your child, if exposed to mosquitoes.

Symptoms of malaria fever are joint pain, headache, sore throat etc. It is best the contact with mosquito is minimized. The use of insecticide treated net attached to your child’s bed is encouraged. Meshed nets on our windows and the use of mosquito repellant and insecticides are also beneficial.”

Know the symptoms of common diseases like flu, upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), cough, cold and conjunctivitis, so they can be treated in time. Avoid damp clothes as this can cause irritation to children’s skin and expose them to fungal skin infection. Arrange to dry clothes properly after washing.”

Lastly, check all electrical fittings; ensure the plumbing jobs are well done and no leakages to encourage stagnant water. Also, clear all blocked drainages to encourage free flow of water. By so doing, your child can enjoy the rainy season to the fullest and visit to the clinic will be minimised, “Egah says.

Clothings for rains
She continues, “Wear your child, or children as the case may be, the right clothing for the season. These clothing are expected to protect them from cold. Cardigans, thick panty hose, jackets are all good for the season. The use of raincoats and umbrellas to shield them from direct contact with the rain is advised. The foot should be protected. Wear them rain boots to keep them from playing barefoot in dirty water, which can encourage the spread of skin diseases. Keep their feet clean and dry always.”