During the Tet holiday, children often participate in festivals and outdoor activities, but these also pose risks such as falls, getting lost, cold exposure, or contact with sources of illness. Dr. Nguyen Thi Hanh Trang, Deputy Head of Pediatrics at Tam Anh General Hospital TP HCM, advises parents to prepare thoroughly and supervise children closely to ensure their safety.

Focus on nutrition and food safety

During Tet, children frequently consume many sweets, soft drinks, oily foods, and few vegetables or fruits. This unbalanced diet can cause bloating, constipation, digestive issues, or rapid weight gain. Parents should maintain balanced meals that include starches, proteins, green vegetables, and fruits. Children need sufficient water, especially when playing outdoors or engaging in energetic activities.

Pre-cooked food left out for too long or improperly stored can cause food poisoning. Parents must choose food from clear origins and ensure it is cooked thoroughly and water is boiled.

Prevent accidents, ensure safety

Tet is a time when children play and travel widely. Parents should not let children stand too close to fireworks displays, and children must not handle firecrackers or homemade explosives.

Parents should prevent falls and household accidents during Tet. Before going to crowded Tet markets, festivals, or supermarkets, parents should instruct children to stay put if they get lost, memorize family phone numbers, or wear ID tags.

Dr. Trang examines a child with respiratory inflammation due to cold weather during Tet. *Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital*

Prepare essential medications and medical supplies

When visiting relatives or traveling far during Tet, parents should prepare essential medications and medical tools, including: fever reducers, pain relievers, diarrhea medication, probiotics, oral rehydration salts, age-appropriate nasal spray, and a thermometer. Bandages and antiseptic solution for wound care are also necessary.

For children with congenital heart disease, bronchial asthma, allergies, epilepsy, or other chronic conditions, parents should arrange a health check-up before the Tet holiday. Bring medical records and all prescribed medications, administering them at the correct dosage as directed by the doctor during spring travel. If a child shows signs of severe illness, high fever difficult to reduce, frequent vomiting, severe abdominal pain, or a serious accident, parents must take the child to the nearest medical facility for prompt treatment.

Minh Tam