Children are still in the stage where their bodies are developing. Thus, their immunity is not as strong as adults.
This makes them more susceptible to several health issues and diseases. The primary cause of severe health issues can be prolonged exposure to contaminated air. This is why we must protect preschool kids from air pollution.
However, it is not possible for an adult to always accompany a child. So, how can we protect them?
Here are 10 tips by which preschool kids can be protected from air pollution! The first tip is to make them aware and the rest will follow.
Protecting preschool children from air pollution is very important because they may end up suffering from respiratory issues that may persist throughout their lives.
However, if they are suddenly made to follow a set of rules without any explanation, they may not be very keen to follow through.
This is why it is necessary to make them aware of what air pollution is, how it is caused, and what its consequences are. Being aware of the reality will foster seriousness in their actions to prevent exposure to air pollution.
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The AQI informs us about the quality of air in the surrounding areas and it keeps changing. Thus, one of the best tips for preschoolers in polluted areas is to only go out when the AQI says it’s safe to.
Parents must keep an eye on the AQI at all times to ensure the safety of their children.
The AQI value is generally the highest early in the morning and during the night. However, the values may vary at other times of the day depending on air pollution.
Wearing a mask is extremely beneficial because it filters out harmful particles so you can breathe clean air. While masks are not foolproof, they are still quite effective.
Now, kids may refuse to wear masks because they are not used to it. However, you must make them aware of the benefits and uses of masks while setting an example by wearing them yourself.
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Air conditioners cannot save you from pollution because they use the surrounding air, lower its temperature, and cool your rooms. If the outside air is polluted, the same air in a closed room is even more harmful.
Thus, it is highly recommended to avoid turning on your air conditioners when the AQI is high.
However, you can make this arrangement more efficient by purchasing ACs that have a built-in air purifying system. This will then purify the air before sending it into your room.
Passive smoking causes more harm than active smoking and, thus, should be avoided. If you smoke around kids, even if you blow the smoke away from them, they will end up inhaling quite a bit which can severely damage their lungs.
Thus, it is best to not smoke in front of children at all to protect preschool kids from air pollution.
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Personal hygiene is extremely important to maintain because if you or your clothes are dirty, the impure particles from the air are more likely to stick to you. Then, when you eat without washing your hands, you will be ingesting the harmful particles leading to health issues.
This is why one of the most important tips for preschoolers in polluted areas is to make them practice washing their hands every time they eat.
At the same time, they must change their clothes and wash themselves thoroughly when they come home after spending time outdoors.
However much you try, protecting preschool children from air pollution may not be completely successful every time. They may often suffer from coughs, allergies, and other health issues.
This is why you must focus on building and developing their immunity as well. It can be achieved by ensuring a healthy lifestyle for your kids.
This includes eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising daily. It will increase their ability to fight many health problems.
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A scarcity of trees has increased the risk of pollution. This is why it is highly necessary to plant as many trees as possible to protect preschool kids from air pollution.
You can volunteer in tree planting campaigns or plant your own garden. This sets an example for the kids so that they can grow up to be responsible citizens who prioritise the well-being of the environment and plant more trees.
Clothes can play a massive role in protecting preschool children from air pollution.
Parents must dress their kids in long-sleeved clothes to protect most of their skin from pollution. At the same time, they must wear caps to prevent any polluted particles from sticking to their hair and getting into their eyes.
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Finally, areas that are densely populated and have a lot of traffic are likely to be more polluted.
This is why it is highly recommended to visit parks or areas that have greenery if you want to protect preschool kids from air pollution.
These spaces are not only soothing for the eyes but are also free from pollution. It is extremely healthy for your kids to play and spend time in such green spaces.
Thus, the primary way to protect preschool kids from air pollution is to plant more trees, create more green spaces, and spend time in such areas.
However, the consequences of air pollution can also be fairly prevented by keeping track of the AQI values before going outdoors, maintaining personal hygiene, wearing appropriate clothing, and building strong immunity.
JBM Smart Start is one of the top schools for preschool children who are provided with the best quality of education and care. They are surrounded by a stress-free and protective environment to ensure their holistic development.