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Safe Purim

28 March 2024

Purim is undoubtedly one of the most beloved holidays for children and teens. To make the holiday joy complete, it is important to adhere to safety rules related to holiday traditions.

Costumes

  • Buy costumes that bear standard approval from the Standards Institution of Israel and that are labeled as required by law.
  • If you are order costumes online from overseas, make sure that they are in compliance with the European standard for toys EN71.
  • Choose masks that have an opening for the nose and mouth, as well as suitable openings for the eyes.
  • If you make your own costume, avoid use of flammable materials such as cotton and feathers. Avoid using strings and long threads that may be wrapped around the neck.
  • Instruct the child to take off the costume and all accompanying accessories (wigs, masks) when playing at the playground.

Make-up

To prevent inflammation, irritation and infection, make sure that the make-up you buy have been approved by the Ministry of Health. You can search for Ministry of Health-approved cosmetics under the name of the manufacturer or importer in the Ministry of Health Cosmetics Database (Hebrew).

Purim baskets

Due to the choking hazard, the Purim baskets for children under the age of 5 should include soft, easily chewable candy. Make sure to not give them any gummy candies, nuts, popcorn, lollipops, round chewing gums and Hamantash filled with nuts, peanuts or almonds.

Use of Purim toys

Children and teens may be injured following use of firecrackers, fireworks, detonators, cap guns and other improvised explosive devices. It is important to prevent children from playing with them. Avoid use of snow spray and laser games, which may cause blindness.

Purim is without question one of the most beloved holidays among children, teens and more than a few adults. Before choosing the theme for the costume they want and the make-up and accessories that will complete the look, it is important to adhere to several safety rules so that the holiday will truly be a happy one.

  • Buy costumes that bear a standard approval from the Standards Institution of Israel and that are labeled as required by law. The label attached to the costume must include the manufacturer or importer details as well as clear warnings in Hebrew in the words: “Tested in accordance with Israeli Standard 562. Keep away from fire. Washing will remove any fire retardants".
  • If you order costumes online from overseas, make sure that they are in compliance with the European standard for toys EN71.
  • Before buying online or in a store, search for information and reviews about the manufacturer and products in order to make a decision on whether to purchase the costume and accompanying accessories.
  • In any case, before any purchase of a costume or accessory, check whether there is an age restriction (which should be listed on the package) and that instructions are attached.
  • Choose masks that have an opening for the nose and mouth, as well as suitable openings for the eyes.
  • If you make your own costume, avoid use of flammable materials such as cotton and feathers. Avoid using strings and long threads that may be wrapped around the neck and endanger the child.
  • Regardless of whether you purchase or make a costume, to avoid falls and injuries, measure the costume parts for the child, as well as the mask and accompanying accessories. Make sure that the child can comfortably move in the costume and that the costume can be quickly removed, if necessary, for example if it catches fire.
  • Instruct the child to take off the costume and all accompanying accessories (wigs, masks) when playing, for example at the playground. Read more about safety at the playground

  • Make sure the mask has suitable openings for the eyes as well as the nose and mouth.
  • Do not use masks that are made of flammable material, that have small parts that fall apart or strings that may be wrapped around the neck and endanger the child by creating a choking hazard.
  • Important: masks restrict the field of vision and are not suitable for young children, as their field of vision is not sufficiently developed.

  • To prevent irritation, inflammation and infection, choose face and body make-up that have been approved by the Ministry of Health.
  • Make-up that arrives in a package without the name of the manufacturer or importer and without warnings may be dangerous and its use should be avoided.
  • If you are uncertain about the product you selected, you can search for Ministry of Health-approved make-up under the name of the manufacturer or importer in the Ministry of Health Cosmetics Database (Hebrew).
  • Always check the list of ingredients of the product and make sure that it does not contain any toxic materials.
  • Before using on any surface of the face or body, make sure that the product is suitable for contact with the skin. Try on a small patch to make sure that it does not cause irritation.

Gummy candies, nuts and other seeds, popcorn, candy, round gum and Hamantaschen filled with nuts, peanuts or almonds are among the foods that are not recommended for children under 5 due to the choking hazard.

Purim baskets for children of this age should include soft, easily chewable candy. Check who the recipient of the Purim basket is and prepare it accordingly. Notice allergens such as peanuts, walnuts, milk, gluten, soy, sesame and eggs.

Children, teens and adults of any age may be injured as a result of using firecrackers, fireworks, detonators, cap guns and other improvised explosive devices. Common injuries include burns in the hands, face, neck or thighs.

Detonators are not a children's game

In this video, chef Yisrael Aharoni explains the hazardous nature of detonators.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_5-AMveWxM

Detonators are not child's play

For your child’s safety, follow these guidelines

  • Purchase marked products only. Every toy that may be marketed and sold must be labeled as required by law with clear warnings in Hebrew that includes the name of the importer, name of the manufacturer, full address, instructions and age restrictions.
  • Do not allow the child to play with slingshots and toy guns and rifles that look like real weapons.
  • Always leave caps for cap guns in their original packaging or in a bag and never put them in pockets as friction might cause explosion.
  • Avoid using snow spray and laser games that may cause blindness.

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