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Safety on Tu Bishvat

4 December 2024

Tu Bishvat is the New Year's day of the trees, a holiday dedicated to the values of nature preservation, renewal of trees and the fruit that they bear. As with any other holiday, it is important to prepare in advance as well as maintain safety rules.

Some preschools, elementary schools and youth movements go out to plant saplings, and you may want to go with the children to plant trees in nature. Here are several things to check and assure before going out into the field:

  • Going out planting: make sure that the preschool, elementary school or youth movement that is organizing the plantings has received Ministry of Education approval for the activity. Also check that the staff supervising the activity has confirmed that the plants or trees that were acquired for the activity are not toxic or allergenic and that the packages and leftover fertilizer and pesticides in the planting area will be kept away from the children and that the original packages are kept so that they know not to touch them.
  • Clean area: when you go with children to nature, make sure that the area where you plan to plant trees is empty and has no holes, rocks, planks, stones, construction waste and anything else that may cause injury. Try to make sure that the area is clear and free of snakes, scorpions, and other animals that may sting.
  • Poisoning prevention: children can be curious and try to put plants, wild mushrooms or fruit that they find in their mouth. Instruct them at home not to put any plant or fruit they find in the field in their mouth as they may be poisonous.

    If poisoning is suspected: if the child is stable and is not experiencing respiratory difficulties, consult the National Poison Information Center: 04-7771900. If the child is experiencing respiratory distress and other vital signs have been affected, immediately call Magen David Adom at 101.

    Read more about poisoning prevention

Although the custom to eat dried fruit is entrenched in Israeli tradition, health wise, it is preferable to serve fresh fruit, so that the nutritional value of fruit is better retained. Furthermore, fresh fruit does not stick like dried fruit, which may adhere to the trachea and pose a choking hazard. If you still decide to give children under the age of five dried fruit such as dates, figs, apricots or raisins - make sure to remove the pits from the fruit and cut the fruit into small pieces. When feeding babies, toddlers and children – supervise them closely and do not be distracted by other things.

Nuts and seeds such as peanuts, almonds, walnuts or pistachios are among the leading causes of choking as small children (under the age of 5) may inhale them while eating or speaking. Children occasionally eat while playing or moving, which is particularly dangerous when discussing these foods, since they absorb fluid and swell in the trachea or lungs, possibly causing an obstruction of the airways. Children under five should be given nuts that have been thoroughly ground or crushed until they, in a smooth texture. When the nuts are in their natural form, children must be closely supervised to make sure they do not reach them and accidentally place them in their mouths.

Video: Safety on Tu Bishvat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_95cfVuYxk

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