CONTENTS
- Here’s how to play safe Holi this year – 10 Tips:
- 1. Discourage them to play Holi with eggs, and mud
- 2. Don’t use industrial dyes and metallic colors
- 3. Use only gulaal, organic colors or flower petals
- 4. Keep the colors away from the mouth and eyes
- 5. Eyes are particularly vulnerable
- 6. Clothes are like sheilds
- 7. Slather skin-protecting creams
- 8. Be careful when playing with Pichkaris
- 9. No water balloons, please?
- 10. Say no to strangers
Why do we play Holi as we do? Why is Holi celebrated with colors? What’s the significance? Why March? Is your little one or not-so-little one curious but not sure why to play Holi? Even if it’s just dry colors that are 100% organic? Well, chances are that your child is scared. So, how do we play safe Holi and why play Holi in the first place?
‘Why Holi‘, a book was written by Priyanka and illustrated by Creative I” explains why we all love to play Holi, especially children who get a free hand on that one day in a year to play with lots of colors and water.
Have a happy-healthy Holi 2021 by maintaining social distancing and following simple tips to keep your little and loved ones safe:
- The use of masks should go without saying
- Handshakes and hugging should be highly avoided
- Use homemade/DIY Holi colors should be avoided, as it can attract respiratory issues
- Cold food and beverages should be avoided
- Prevention against the virus and simultaneously building immunity becomes of utmost importance. So eat healthy foods (veggies and fruits) and turmeric milk, Citrus fruits and red bell peppers (both rich in vitamin C), and water infused with lemon, Indian gooseberries, and sliced oranges to give your immunity a natural boost.
Kids have questions and they are bound to be inquisitive. It’s important for us to create awareness and educate them. To have answers to their whats, whys, and hows. This colorful festival is historical. Holilka, King Hiranyakashyap, Prhalad- our grandparents knew a lovely folk tale around these mythological figures. They told our parents the significance, relevance, and morally attached to this festive celebration.
There are many stories linked to the festival of Holi and Holika Dahan. These stories may be mythological, religious, or social, but all have some or the other hidden life lesson. One take-away is the victory of good over evil. And that light always wins over darkness.
This is also a good time to teach them how to play safe Holi and ensure that they indeed play a safe Holi.
Here’s how to play safe Holi this year – 10 Tips:
1. Discourage them to play Holi with eggs, and mud
Explain to them that this is not only unhealthy but harmful as well. A good way to avoid this would be by keeping clean water handy so that they don’t resort to using dirty water.
2. Don’t use industrial dyes and metallic colors
Industrial dyes used as Holi colors are cheaper and often gaudier. They are harmful. The metallic pastes which impart the glistening silver or black or white are horribly toxic. As per Satavik, here’s what specific colours can do to our health:
| Colour | Chemical | Health Effects |
|---|---|---|
| Black | Lead oxide | Renal Failure |
| Green | Copper Sulphate | Eye Allergy, Puffiness and Temporary blindness |
| Silver | Aluminum Bromide | Carcinogenic |
| Blue | Prussian Blue | Contract Dermatitis |
| Red | Mercury Sulphite | Highly toxic can cause skin cancer |
3. Use only gulaal, organic colors or flower petals
Child-friendly, eco-friendly, non-toxic, and gel-based colors are available aplenty. Why not use those?
4. Keep the colors away from the mouth and eyes
It is essential that you do not let your kids put any colors in their mouths. Synthetic colors, powder or gel-based alike, contain a number of harmful chemicals, when ingested they could cause severe reactions such as vomiting and could also lead to poisoning.
5. Eyes are particularly vulnerable
If the colors enter your child’s eye, wash them with plenty of water. Remember not to rub the eye. If your child experiences any vision-related issues, pain, or excessive redness of the eyes, immediately take him/her to your doctor.
6. Clothes are like sheilds
Make your child wear full-sleeved clothes and long cotton pants to protect their sensitive skin.
7. Slather skin-protecting creams
Another way of protecting their skin would be preparing them well for it by applying oil or cream all over the body to prevent the colors from sticking to the skin. Oil the child’s hair well before he/she goes to play with colors. This will help protect the skin and hair from the harmful effects of the colors.
8. Be careful when playing with Pichkaris
The pichaakris which we think of as harmless toys can be dangerous too. So, teach your child to use his/ her pichkaari away from other people’s faces, especially their eyes and ears. Also, ask your child to maintain a safe distance from other children’s pichkaaris when he/she is being attacked by the water.
9. No water balloons, please?
Say no to bursting balloons or throwing them on each other. This can cause injuries and accidents. The thurst applied to burst balloons is not to be taken lightly.
10. Say no to strangers
Encourage your children to play Holi only with a group of close friends and relatives as against strangers. In fact, even you should do the same to make sure you, as well as your kids, are safe. People can get carried in the Holi intoxication (thanks to the bhaang).
“Safety first” should always be our motto. Happy Holi!
Image source: 06 (Featured image)
