The Easter long weekend is almost here and ER24 is urging everyone to take it easy on the roads, to refrain from consuming alcohol before and while driving and to have enough rest prior to driving long distances.

Several other drivers were injured, some of them critically, and needed to be airlifted to hospital in some cases.

Collisions included buses, trucks, bikes, taxis and cars either that rolled, were in head-on collisions, collided with barriers or caught alight.

Keep in mind your safety, that of your loved ones and others around you.

Below are some tips:

· If you’re driving to your destination, conduct a safety check on your vehicle prior to leaving.

· Make sure your wiper blades, headlights and signal lights are working.

· Check all fluids in the vehicle.

· Check your tyre pressure and inspect all tyres for irregular or significant tread wear.

· Make sure you have a tyre jack, spare wheel and fire extinguisher in your vehicle.

· Pack a blanket, torch and first aid kit in the vehicle.

· Plan the trip and be rested. Have a 15-minute rest every two hours and share the driving if possible.

· Ensure children and pets in the vehicle are appropriately restrained.

· Tow check when towing a trailer or caravan.

· Do not speak on your cellphone or text while driving.

It is important to have a first aid kit at home and when going away on holiday.

A basic kit may contain:

· A variety of plasters and small, medium and large sterile gauze dressings.

· At least two sterile eye dressings.

· Triangular bandages and crêpe rolled bandages.

· Safety pins.

· Disposable sterile gloves.

· Tweezers and scissors.

· Alcohol-free cleansing wipes.

· Sticky tape.

· Thermometer, preferably digital.

· Skin rash cream.

· Cream or spray to relieve insect bites and stings.

· Antiseptic cream.

· Painkillers, cough medicine and antihistamine tablets.

· Distilled water for cleaning wounds, eye wash and eye bath.

Keep a basic first aid manual or instruction booklet with your first aid kit.

A detailed list should be kept of medical information, such as allergies, medication and blood group, as well as telephone numbers of people to contact in an emergency.

ER24’s Training Academy provides various first aid courses and can be contacted on training@er24.co.za.

ER24’s Emergency Contact Centre can be reached 24 hours a day, on 084 124, for any medical emergency.

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