Ensuring your family’s well-being in Chiang Mai presents unique challenges, from the rainy season’s bacteria breeding grounds to the city’s poor air quality and intense heat.
Drawing from our decade-long experience here, we’ve gathered some essential tips to help keep everyone healthy.
1. Make Regular Hand Washing a Good Habit
It’s easy and effective, keeping germs, including the dreaded Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease, from spreading. Firstly, instill the habit of regular hand washing. Get kids to lather up well and wash thoroughly, especially upon returning home, before meals, and after using the bathroom. Keep hand-sanitizing gel or antibacterial wipes handy for cleaning hands when outside the house.
2. Be Cautious About Germs at Playdates
During playdates, be cautious about germ transmission. Ensure everyone washes their hands before playing or eating snacks, and dispose of used tissues by flushing them down the toilet (some bacteria and viruses can live for 2+ hours outside the body!). Afterward, disinfect germ hotspots like doorknobs, walls, drawer handles, books, tablet/television screens, toys.
3. Pay Attention to Food Temperatures
For adults, a food-borne illness can make you miserable for a day or two, but for babies and young children, it can be really rough, requiring hospitalization, IV drips and strong antibiotics. Pay close attention to food safety, with these essential tips such as knowing the “danger zone” where temperatures between 4 to 60°C (40 to 140 °F) are ideal for food-borne bacteria to grow, and learning the foods that are especially hazardous inside the danger zone.
4. Wash Fruits & Vegetables Throughly
Sometimes, it’s challenging to ascertain the safety of fruits and vegetables, even those labeled as “organic.” Both locally grown and imported produce here often undergo heavy pesticide treatment. Tests have shown that various fruits and vegetables may contain harmful chemicals exceeding safety limits. To reduce pesticide residue, soak produce in a water-vinegar solution (4 parts water to 1 part vinegar) for 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
5. Keep Common Allergans at Bay
Allergies can develop at any stage of life, whether from birth or later on. Apart from food, common allergens include dust mites, mold, animal dander, and household chemicals like detergents. Minimize exposure to these allergens by using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter, which effectively traps dust mites and particles. Additionally, wash sheets, pillowcases, and stuffed animals regularly in hot water with a mild detergent free of optical brighteners, fragrances, or dyes.
6. Invest in a Good Air Purifier
Chiang Mai faces severe air pollution, with PM 2.5 levels reaching hazardous levels. Given children’s heightened susceptibility to these conditions, investing in an air purifier is crucial for their long-term health. Opt for high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, despite their costliness, as they effectively filter out harmful particulates. To make an informed choice, explore the key criteria to consider when selecting an air purifier. Learn more about choosing an air purifier.
7. Manage Those Pesky Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are an unavoidable aspect of tropical life and can transmit diseases like dengue fever, malaria, and Zika. Protect yourself by covering up, especially your feet and lower legs, and applying mosquito repellent daily. Reduce exposure to mosquito breeding sites like areas with dense vegetation and stagnant water. Use a citronella or lemongrass oil-based spray in mosquito-prone areas around your home or condo, and consider using a strong outdoor fan to deter mosquitoes from outdoor living spaces.
Stay up-to-date with vaccinations according to the local immunization schedule. Bangkok hospitals offer vaccine programs, so explore your options to ensure your child receives timely immunizations.
