The festive season is a time to relax after a long year of hard work for many South Africans. Sadly, as often happens around this period, many of our compatriots lose their lives and being safe is of paramount importance.
“The long-awaited December holiday is almost here and whatever your intentions, be it going away on holiday, visiting local attractions or staying at home, ER24 is urging everyone to celebrate with safety in mind,” said the emergency services provider’s Russel Meiring.
ER24 is offering the following essential safety tips for this festive season holiday period:
If you are driving to your destination, remember the following:
• Buckle up and ensure children in the vehicle are appropriately restrained. If you are travelling with pets make sure they are restrained.
• Ensure your vehicle is roadworthy. Ensure you have a spare wheel, first aid kit, torch, reflective bib and fire extinguisher in the vehicle.
• Plan your route. It is a good idea to take note of all filling stations, police stations and hospitals.
• Take regular breaks during your drive. If there is another person in the vehicle who is licensed to drive, rather share the driving. Be alert at all times and do not speed. Alter your speed according to the environment you are in.
• Do not drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Keep a list of telephone numbers of people to contact as well as your medical details and history (medical aid number, blood group and allergies for example).
• Let people you trust know where you are going and when they can expect you back.
• If you do happen to come across an accident, ensure it’s safe to stop before doing so. Ensure your vehicle is parked a safe enough distance away (usually more than 50 meters) and have warning triangles/hazard lights to warn other motorists of the hazard. Removing people from vehicles is best left up to the experts, unless a life-threatening situation exists. Keep car accident victims calm until experts arrive.
Youngsters
Matriculants and other youngsters celebrating are urged to do so responsibly. Youngsters should ensure parents are aware of where they are going for their own safety.
Warn your children about the dangers of reckless driving and the abuse of drugs and alcohol. Never allow them to drive with someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Remember not to accept open drinks from anyone you don’t know and do not leave your drinks unattended.
Outdoors
If you plan on going camping or sightseeing, do some research about the area if you have never been there and plan accordingly.
If you’re going to a remote area for a long time, take a first aid class before you go. Knowing CPR or the Heimlich maneuver beforehand may save a life. Always take a first aid kit with you, be sure to include medication for common ailments such as allergies, nausea, pain medication.
Sunburn may turn a great camping trip into a miserable evening. Knowing how to treat it is the second most important thing, after prevention! Apply sunscreen often.
Although you may want to unplug while on holiday, it’s a good idea to keep your cell phone charged, even in areas without cell phone signal you may be able to make an emergency call.
If you’re travelling outside of South Africa, make sure your health Insurance is up to date.
Braai
If you plan to have a braai while away on holiday, ensure you are allowed to do so at the location you have chosen.
When having a braai at home or while away on holiday, be mindful of safety around a fire. Don’t leave an open fire unattended, and don’t leave minors around a fire unsupervised. Teach them about the dangers of playing with matches and lighters, and the importance of following instructions for fire ignition devices. The best first aid for small burns is clean, cold running water.
Drowning
Remember that anyone is at risk of drowning.
Never allow children to swim without adult supervision. Keep your pool covered with an approved cover when not in use.
Do not swim too far out into the ocean, and only swim in areas supervised by lifeguards. You may struggle due to fatigue or get swept further away due to strong currents.
Wearing a life jacket is vital on the open water.
Never dive or jump into unfamiliar or shallow water.
If you are at the beach and you see a person struggling in the water, call for help or inform a lifeguard immediately.
If you do need to start CPR as a result of drowning, remember it’s never too late to start CPR.
ER24 can be contacted 24-hours a day on 084 124 in case of a medical emergency.
Featured Advertiser: High Resolution Ad at this link
“The long-awaited December holiday is almost here and whatever your intentions, be it going away on holiday, visiting local attractions or staying at home, ER24 is urging everyone to celebrate with safety in mind,” said the emergency services provider’s Russel Meiring.
ER24 is offering the following essential safety tips for this festive season holiday period:
If you are driving to your destination, remember the following:
• Buckle up and ensure children in the vehicle are appropriately restrained. If you are travelling with pets make sure they are restrained.
• Ensure your vehicle is roadworthy. Ensure you have a spare wheel, first aid kit, torch, reflective bib and fire extinguisher in the vehicle.
• Plan your route. It is a good idea to take note of all filling stations, police stations and hospitals.
• Take regular breaks during your drive. If there is another person in the vehicle who is licensed to drive, rather share the driving. Be alert at all times and do not speed. Alter your speed according to the environment you are in.
• Do not drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Keep a list of telephone numbers of people to contact as well as your medical details and history (medical aid number, blood group and allergies for example).
• Let people you trust know where you are going and when they can expect you back.
• If you do happen to come across an accident, ensure it’s safe to stop before doing so. Ensure your vehicle is parked a safe enough distance away (usually more than 50 meters) and have warning triangles/hazard lights to warn other motorists of the hazard. Removing people from vehicles is best left up to the experts, unless a life-threatening situation exists. Keep car accident victims calm until experts arrive.
Youngsters
Matriculants and other youngsters celebrating are urged to do so responsibly. Youngsters should ensure parents are aware of where they are going for their own safety.
Warn your children about the dangers of reckless driving and the abuse of drugs and alcohol. Never allow them to drive with someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Remember not to accept open drinks from anyone you don’t know and do not leave your drinks unattended.
Outdoors
If you plan on going camping or sightseeing, do some research about the area if you have never been there and plan accordingly.
If you’re going to a remote area for a long time, take a first aid class before you go. Knowing CPR or the Heimlich maneuver beforehand may save a life. Always take a first aid kit with you, be sure to include medication for common ailments such as allergies, nausea, pain medication.
Sunburn may turn a great camping trip into a miserable evening. Knowing how to treat it is the second most important thing, after prevention! Apply sunscreen often.
Although you may want to unplug while on holiday, it’s a good idea to keep your cell phone charged, even in areas without cell phone signal you may be able to make an emergency call.
If you’re travelling outside of South Africa, make sure your health Insurance is up to date.
Braai
If you plan to have a braai while away on holiday, ensure you are allowed to do so at the location you have chosen.
When having a braai at home or while away on holiday, be mindful of safety around a fire. Don’t leave an open fire unattended, and don’t leave minors around a fire unsupervised. Teach them about the dangers of playing with matches and lighters, and the importance of following instructions for fire ignition devices. The best first aid for small burns is clean, cold running water.
Drowning
Remember that anyone is at risk of drowning.
Never allow children to swim without adult supervision. Keep your pool covered with an approved cover when not in use.
Do not swim too far out into the ocean, and only swim in areas supervised by lifeguards. You may struggle due to fatigue or get swept further away due to strong currents.
Wearing a life jacket is vital on the open water.
Never dive or jump into unfamiliar or shallow water.
If you are at the beach and you see a person struggling in the water, call for help or inform a lifeguard immediately.
If you do need to start CPR as a result of drowning, remember it’s never too late to start CPR.
ER24 can be contacted 24-hours a day on 084 124 in case of a medical emergency.
Featured Advertiser: High Resolution Ad at this link
