Preparing for a safe and celebratory holiday doesn't have to be stressful.
By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICHThe Best Hanukkah Gift Ideas 758x530(photo credit: JPOST STAFF)
Preventable home accidents during Hanukka – the eight-day holiday that begins on Tuesday evening – can darken the upcoming festival of lights. Experts from the Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Petah Tikva advise how to pass the holiday safely and carefully.Prof. Yehezkel Weissman, director of the emergency medicine department, notes that since traditional Hanukka activities include fire and boiling oil, there is a risk of burns in children. Youngsters under the age of nine should light candles only with the help of adults. Keep long hair and clothing with long sleeves away from the fire when lighting candles.The Hanukka candelabrum should be placed on a tray or a fireproof surface and not on a tablecloth that can be pulled down or set afire.Keep candles far away from curtains and do not leave them unattended.The matches and candles should be kept out of the reach of children immediately after candle-lighting.Do not allow young children to fry donuts and pancakes; keep them away from the cooking area during frying. In the event of burned skin, wash it with tap water for a few minutes, apply a sterile bandage or a clean, damp cloth and consult a doctor.Dafna Ziv Busani, a clinical dietitian at the Schneider, said that a standard donut contains between 350 and 450 calories, and some – with added treats – even more. Mini donuts and baked delicacies are preferable to large fried ones.A fried potato pancake is equivalent to two or two-and-a-half slices of bread, which means that it contains between 150 and 200 calories.Try making latkes from carrots, squash or sweet potatoes and baking them or minimizing oil by using a spray to reduce calories.The Israel Cancer Society stresses that just as Hanukka candles come in a variety of colors, it is best to offer vegetables in many colors to benefit from different nutrients – onions (white), zucchini (green), carrots (orange), tomatoes (red), as well as green, red and yellow peppers. Minimize the intake of sugary food to avoid obesity and its resultant risk of heart disease and cancer.And have a happy, healthy and safe Hanukka!
