is there anything unsafe about letting my kid jump/play in puddles?

[Anonymous]

I mean, in terms of bacteria, things like that? I have this (possibly ridiculous) fear that there will be some kind of flesh-eating bacteria in the puddle, and my DD might have a cut on her toe and the bacteria gets inside, etc. etc.

Is there anything to be concerned about?

[Anonymous]

I would be less worried about natural contaminants than road oil, fertilizer and other synthetic compounds, all of which was from the roads when it rains.

[Anonymous]

This post can't be real! No, OP assuming the area/street is not littered with cr*p you should be fun. Let your kid be a kid.

[Anonymous]

Dumbest. Question. Ever.

[Anonymous]

Are the drug needles in your neighborhood? If not, chill out. Omg, you must be insane to live with.

[Anonymous]

If this post is real, I want to weep for your poor children. Imagine a mother too wrought with anxiety to allow a kid to splash in a mud puddle for fear of "flesh eating bacteria." If you're not a troll, please OP get some help.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Geez, you women are harsh, and some of your are downright mean. "Wrought with anxiety?" My post contained nothing of the sort. "Insane to live with?" And you weep for my children? C'mon, seriously? WTF. God. My DH once said that the good women out there aren't wasting time on DCUM, and the responses here (with the exception of the first - thank you, PP, for not insulting me) confirm that he is probably right.

This was a serious question. My kid jumps in puddles all the time, my kid is allowed to be a kid, etc. etc. WTF. This was just a fleeting thing that I wondered about, especially after recently reading about that girl who is dying from a flesh-eating bacteria that she contracted from a cut on her leg.

[Anonymous]

Haha OP, this reminds me of when I was a kid and I was playing in a puddle, and this neighbor lady started yelling at me saying, "You're going to get POLIO!!!" I remember going home to my mom and saying, "what's polio?" Now every time I hear something about polio, I think of that.

I never got polio FTR, so I don't think you have anything to worry about.

[Anonymous]

They'll be fine!

I actually was eying the sandbox at the playground today. It resembled mini beach. So many kids wanted to play there with the trucks, but not one caregiver said yes. I'm sure there is a chance of bacteria, but I'm guessing chances are slim that it will be something dangerous (especially if they are wearing clothing and you wash hands later.

[Anonymous]

Um, yes. When we lived in Norfolk there was story in Pilot about a little girl who got a staf infection from puddle hopping after a big storm. Just get a kiddie pool or a water table for your kid to splash.

[Anonymous]

Serioulsly, OP? First world problems, much? Why don't you google it if you are truly worried about this.

[Anonymous]

There is the possibility that she may grow up to be free-spirited. You'll need to examine your position on gazing at rainbows in order to make a better assessment.

[Anonymous]

OP, the fact that you are monitoring for responses and react indignantly to the idea that most parents don't obsess about their children coming into contact with rain water only reemphasizes my point: you need some help. Or you're a troll, in which case, same goes. And really, flesh eating bacteria? Do you really not see that this is an absurd concern?

[Anonymous]

OP, relax and join your DC. I remember sitting on cardboard boxes and riding the water "creek" that ran down my street when it rained a lot. And this was in a third world country

We were allowed to play in the rain and we were all barefoot and never wore rain jackets.

[Anonymous]

I once cut my foot on broken glass, jumping in a puddle barefoot. Didn't see it under the water. So, maybe wear shoes? I would not be concerned about bacteria.