Health TIPS for Kids

Date: 2010.05.25 | Category: HealthTips | Tags:

Featuring: Safe Water Consumption When Traveling.  

In a recent trip to Central America, I observed that many travelers unknowingly put themselves and their loved ones at risk of contracting food and water borne illnesses such as Hepatitis A, Typhoid Fever and Traveler’s Diarrhea.  Are you going on a trip with your kids? If so, before you take off may I suggest that you take the time to learn the health risks associated with contaminated food and water consumption at your destination.

Many countries around the world including those in Latin America, Asia and Africa still have problems maintaining safe food and water supplies.  If you are traveling or on vacation in another country, it is still important for the sake of yourself and your kids, to be aware of the potential health risks associated with water consumption and to protect yourselves from waterborne illnesses.  I’ve observed that most travelers seem to make a food or water mistake within the first few hours or days of their trip.  What most people don’t realize is that when it comes to food and water, there are a few small common sense pre-cautions, which seem to make a world of difference.

 No. 1 – Stick with bottled beverages; Avoid tap water and ice in beverages, unless it is made with safe water.

 No. 2 – Drink only pasteurized, properly refrigerated milk and dairy products.

 No. 3 – Eat only fruits or vegetables that have been freshly peeled or cooked. Avoid fruits that don’t need peeling.

 No. 4 – Eat only foods, which have been recently cooked and are being served piping hot. Avoid uncooked vegetables and salads, raw or undercooked meat or fish.

 No. 5 – Avoid street vendors and fly-infested restaurants.

 The bottom line is that if you have any doubts or are in question about the water you are drinking, just boil it!  Boiling water for at least one minute is generally the most effective way to remove parasite contamination.  

Let’s face it. Nothing ruins a good trip like getting sick! The rules for a healthy vacation are really simple. Plan ahead and know the risks, choose your food and drink carefully!  Contaminated drinking water is one of the leading sources of health problems for travelers, and can cause anything from mild gastro-intestinal distress to serious bacterial diseases! So, You owe it to your kids to be prepared!

 By Esther Briner March 2010 Health TIPS For Kids. Compliments of www.totalKIDS.org and www.watertweeter.com ~ connecting you to the world on water topics that relate to your child’s future, health, well-being and development.