Parents are advised to keep an extra eye out for their children during vacation and take increased precautions when leaving preschoolers with their older siblings, or better yet avoid this practice. Chisinau's education chief Tatiana Nagnibeda-Tverdohleb says that kindergarten attendance rates usually drop during school breaks as parents decide to leave their preschool-age children with their older siblings who are on vacation. However, this practice is highly unrecommended because, besides the fact that kindergarteners skip their educational activities and their older siblings are deprived of their spare time, the little ones are also exposed to an increased risk of traumas when no adults are around. “Of course the age of the older siblings plays a role. If we are talking about high-school students, this is acceptable. But this is highly unrecommended in the case of elementary school children”, says Tatiana Nagnibeda-Tverdohleb. Contacted by Info-Prim Neo, Balti Hospital's E.R. head Ala Condrea says she has seen in her practice multiple cases of children getting injured, burned or poisoned when left with their not so older siblings. Around this time of the year and until spring, when wood is burned in stoves to keep homes warm, an increased risk is carbon monoxide poisoning, especially when the stoves are handled by children. She recommends leaving preschoolers with their older brothers or sisters only if the latter are at least 17-18 years old. Otherwise, they should be sent to kindergarten. When this is impossible, parents are advised to call each hour to check on the children. Ana Oglinda, Intensive Care head at the Mother&Child Center, says that unattended children, especially when together, tend to be dangerously active, curious and disregardful and often a moment of recklessness can dramatically change lives. Doctor Oglinda says unattended children often get hospitalized with drug poisoning. Tragedies are also frequent when children go swimming without adults to accompany them. The doctor added that it is crucial for the older siblings to know how to provide first aid and remember to call 903 whenever an emergency or accident happens. Schools go on the autumn break on October 29 and resume classes on November 5.