5 ways to protect your children from monsoon diseases

For children, monsoon is a time of joy—puddles to splash in, cooler weather to play outdoors, and an overall break from the scorching summer heat. But for parents, this season also brings an invisible threat: the rise in monsoon water diseases.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a large percentage of child illnesses in developing countries stem from contaminated water and poor hygiene. In India, diseases like diarrhoea, typhoid, jaundice, and cholera see a sharp spike during the rainy months.

Here are five simple ways to protect your little ones from monsoon water diseases:

1. Prioritise Safe and Purified Drinking Water at Home

One of the most direct ways children get exposed to monsoon water diseases is through contaminated drinking water. Municipal pipelines often get flooded or mixed with sewage during monsoon, allowing harmful pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella, and viruses to enter your home.

To reduce this risk:

• Invest in a Pureit water purifier, preferably one with RO + UV technology, which removes dissolved contaminants as well as microorganisms.
  
  
• Ensure your children only drink water from the purifier—even when brushing teeth or using water for making juices and infant food.
  
  
• Clean your water purifier’s tap and tank every week to prevent external contamination.
  
  

Tip: Pureit Revito Max water purifier offers 8-stage purification with in-tank UV sterilisation, making it a reliable solution for families with young children during monsoon.

2. Wash Fruits and Vegetables with Purified Water

Unwashed produce can carry more than just dirt—it can also harbour bacteria and pesticide residue, especially in monsoon when flooding and open-air markets increase cross-contamination.

To protect your child:

• Wash all fruits and vegetables with purified water.
  
  
• Scrub hard-skin vegetables (like potatoes or cucumbers) with a brush.
  
  
• Soak leafy greens in a bowl of water with a few drops of vinegar or baking soda, then rinse thoroughly.
  
  
• Avoid raw salads or cut fruits sold by street vendors during the rainy season.

Child-specific tip: If your child loves fruit juices or milkshakes, always prepare them using purified water and fresh ingredients cleaned thoroughly.

3. Reinforce Hand Hygiene Before Every Meal

Children are naturally curious, which makes them more likely to touch contaminated surfaces, muddy objects, or unclean toys—especially in monsoon.

You can help reduce disease risk by:

• Teaching them to wash hands with soap and clean water before meals, after playtime, and after using the toilet.
  
  
• Keeping child-safe hand sanitisers in school bags or near the dining area.
  
  

Why it matters: Pathogens that cause diseases like hepatitis. Hand hygiene is one of the simplest barriers you can build against monsoon water diseases.

4. Be Cautious with Food Preparation and Storage

Monsoon weather can cause food to spoil faster due to higher humidity and fluctuating temperatures. Improperly stored food becomes a breeding ground for bacteria.

Here’s how to stay ahead:

• Cook food thoroughly, especially non-vegetarian dishes like chicken, fish, or eggs.
  
  
• Avoid preparing or serving partially cooked meals to children.
  
  
• Store leftovers in airtight containers and refrigerate them immediately.
  
  

Lunchbox tip: Pack freshly cooked food for school lunches and use insulated containers.

5. Educate Children on What Not to Eat or Drink Outside

Children love treats from roadside stalls—especially in monsoon, when roasted corn or spicy chaat seems extra tempting. But street food is a common carrier of monsoon water diseases, often prepared with untreated water or handled in unsanitary conditions.

What you can do:

• Explain in simple terms why certain foods are unsafe during monsoon.
  
  
• Encourage healthy home-made versions of their favourites—like grilled sandwiches, boiled sweet corn, or fresh fruit sorbets.
  
  

Prevention through awareness: When children understand “why not,” they’re more likely to follow through—even in your absence.

Final Thoughts: Protection Begins at Home

Preventing monsoon water diseases isn’t about creating fear—it’s about staying one step ahead. Children don’t need to be locked indoors to stay safe; they just need their home environment to be clean, monitored, and equipped with the right safeguards.

By ensuring access to purified drinking water, practicing hygiene, and making thoughtful food choices, you can give your child the freedom to enjoy the rainy season without worry.