Safety tips to keep cool this summer

Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) urges the community to be vigilant while they relax, nearing festive season and ahead of the New Year.

With high temperatures experienced throughout the province, DEMS urges caution as the community will be enjoying festivities outdoors. Heat-related emergencies such as heat exhaustion and stroke, according to William Ntladi, the spokesperson, could lead to serious complications and at worst-case scenario, death.

Tips to help you stay safe and cool:

• Try to stay out of direct sunlight.

• Wear appropriate clothing and ensure you use sunscreen.

• Stay well rehydrated by drinking plenty of water.

• Get to know where your children are at all times, bath tubs might be death traps for smaller children and babies. Open trenches filled with rain water and streams could well become death traps to older children. Keep a close eye on the little ones and make sure they always stay rehydrated.

• Ensure our elders dress appropriately for the hot weather and that they stay well hydrated.

• Limit participation in outdoor physical activities. If you plan on participating in outdoor activities, ensure you rest and keep hydrated all the time.

• Remember to ensure pets have a cool place to relax and cool clean water to drink.

• Do not leave children and pets in a vehicle, even with an open window. Swimming Ntladi reiterated that it is important to remember to take a few safety precautions before splashing around in the water.

“Remember that anyone, even those who can swim, are at risk of drowning. It doesn’t take an ocean for one to drown but only few drops of water into the lungs. Swimming helps lower body temperature and can also help you to relax. As fun as water can be, it can also be deadly for both adults and children,” he said.

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To ensure that this is a fun and safe summer for all, go over these water safety tips:

• Never swim alone.

• Supervise children when they’re in the water.

• Don’t play breath-holding games.

• Always wear a life jacket or vest.

• Don’t jump in the water to save a friend.

• Enter the water feet first.

• Stay away from pool drains.

• Don’t let your children play near swimming pools and other water sources.

• Never let children jump into unknown water or when there are people in the way. The water might be too deep or too shallow; injuries and drowning in such are eminent.

• Never allow a child to swim without adult supervision. Keep your pool covered with an approved cover sheet or net when not in use.

• Swimming pools must be properly fenced and locked when not in use

Ntladi also advised that children should be taught what they should and should not do in case of an emergency. “Also, ensure they know whom to contact.

No matter where you are spending the festive season, keep an eye on your children and get to know where they are and what are they doing at all times,” he said.