There has been an accident

Accidents do happen, unfortunately. What should you do when you are involved in a crash?

1. Stop. By law, you should stop your vehicle after hitting a car, person or animal. If you fail to stop, you could face a hefty fine or imprisonment. Should you feel threatened by, for exampl
   e, a gathering angry crowd, drive to the nearest police station to report the incident.
2. Switch on your vehicle’s hazards and place your emergency triangle at least 45m from the accident scene, with the reflective side facing approaching traffic.
3. Check if anyone is hurt. If so, call an ambulance. Do not move the patient unless his life is in danger if he remains where he is.
4. Get all vehicle occupants to safety. Do not endanger your life by standing too close to the road.
5. Do not admit any wrongdoing. Even if you feel guilty, do not apologise or say it was your fault. Your well-intended words could be turned against you when the other party claims damages.
6. Call your insurance company yourself, to authorise the tow-truck. You may be billed for towing and storage if they are not approved by your insurance.
7. Find eyewitnesses. Get the names and contact details of all those helpful/curious bystanders on the scene.
8. Take cellphone pictures of the accident scene from different angles. Photograph the damage to all vehicles, the surrounding area, the injuries and any damage to property. Also take photos of the other vehicle’s licence disk and number plates.
9. Get the other driver’s details. You need the person’s:
   full names and surname
   ID number
   telephone number
   email address
   physical address
   place of employment
   name of insurance company.
10. Get the names of all police officers, traffic officers, medics and tow truck drivers on the scene.
11.  Take note of the exact address or GPS location of where the accident occurred. You also need a detailed description of all the vehicles involved – colour, make and model and registration number.
12. Draw a sketch that explains how the accident took place, showing in which direction all vehicles involved were travelling. Include road names, landmarks, intersections and robots.
13. Report the accident. If no-one is injured and your vehicle is safe to drive, you may leave the scene. By law you have to report the accident within 24 hours.
14. Notify your insurance company about the accident.

1. If there is a snake in your house, remove all children and pets from the area.

2. Keep the snake calm by minimising movement and noise. Don’t scream!

3. Make sure that you maintain a close watch on the reptile as it might slither into corners and ‘disappear’.

4. Throw a towel or blanket over the snake so that it feels hidden and will tend to remain where it is.

5. Contact a professional snake catcher to safely remove the reptile. Do not try to catch or kill it, as it will bite you.

If you encounter a hippo or crocodile

Crocodiles and hippos kill hundreds of people each year.  Large parts of Zululand are their natural habitat, which increases your chances of encountering one in the wild.

Crocodiles

Crocodiles attack by dragging their prey under water and drowning them. They are most active at dusk and at night.
If you do encounter a crocodile, move away from it fast! They can swim at speeds of up to 60km/h. They can also launch themselves vertically out of the water.

1. Never swim in a river where crocodiles live and be extremely cautious if gathering water or washing clothes near a river bank or lake shore.
   Move away if you find a crocodile nest. Mothers will defend their eggs and young vigorously.
2. When fishing, always stand a few metres back from the water’s edge.
3. Never clean fish or discard fish scraps near the water’s edge, around campsites or at boat ramps.
4. Stay well back from any crocodile slide marks.
5. Never dangle your arms or legs over the side of a boat. If you fall out of a boat, get out of the water as quickly as possible.
6. Never provoke, harass or interfere with crocodiles, even small ones.
7. Never feed crocodiles – it is illegal and dangerous.
8. Do not walk at the water’s edge. Try to remain at least 5m from the water’s edge, to give yourself enough time to react and move to safety. Camp at least 2m above the high water mark and at least 50m from the water’s edge.
9. Never prepare food, wash dishes or pursue any other activities near the water’s edge or adjacent sloping banks.
10. If a crocodile manages to grab hold of you, it is said that your best chance of survival is to gouge its eyes.

Hippo

Hippos are temperamental and fast, and their massive tusks are likely to cause serious injury or death.
It is extremely dangerous to approach these animals. Just because they might be grazing on a sidewalk or crossing a road, it does not mean they are domesticated and friendly.
Male hippos actively defend their territories which run along the banks of rivers and lakes.
Females have also been known to become extremely aggressive if they sense anyone coming too close to their calves, who stay in the water during the rainy season while she feeds on the shore. Hippos mainly browse on land at night, when it is dark.

Being subjected to bullying can really ruin a child or teenager’s life

I am being bullied

BULLYING IS UNACCEPTABLE and these are the ways in which you can be bullied:

1. People calling you names
2. Making things up to get you into trouble
3. Hitting, pinching, biting, pushing and shoving
4. Taking things away from you
5. Damaging your belongings
6. Stealing your money
7. Taking your friends away from you
8. Spreading rumours
9. Threats and intimidation

What to do if you are being bullied

You have to tell someone. You may not want to do this because it means showing that you are vulnerable and that you are letting someone get the better of you. It is very important to tell someone otherwise it may not stop. Speak to a friend, parent, brother or sister, uncle or aunt and most importantly, if it happens at school, speak to your teacher.

In the meantime…

1. Try to stay in safe areas of the school at break and lunchtime where there are plenty of other people. Bullies don’t like anyone seeing what they are doing. If you are hurt at school, tell a teacher immediately. Make sure you tell your parents.
2. If you have a cell phone, be careful who you give your number to. If you receive threatening phone calls or emails then tell your parents. It is against the law for anyone to send offensive or threatening phone messages and if it continues, it can also amount to harassment. The police can, and do, take action when the offence is reported.
3. On the school bus, try to sit near the driver, or if it’s an ordinary bus, close to or with other adults. If you have to walk part of the way, and you’re afraid of the bully finding you, then change your route.
4. Try to leave home and school a bit later or a bit earlier, or see if you can walk with other people who live near you, even if they’re older or younger than you are.

After the funeral to do list:

1. Notify the person’s employer.
2. Ask the post office to forward mail.
3. Perform a more thorough check of the person’s home.
4. Order several copies of the death certificate.
5. Start the probate process with the will.
6. Notify any banks or mortgage companies.
7. Notify life insurance companies.
8. Cancel insurance policies.
9. Determine any employment benefits.
10. Identify and pay important bills.
11. Close credit card accounts.
12. Notify credit reporting agencies.
13. Cancel the person’s driver’s licence.
14. Memorialise your loved one’s Facebook account.
15. Close email accounts.

Caught in a rip current

Who doesn’t love swimming in Zululand’s balmy ocean?
Sadly, too many drownings occur in our sea, which could easily have been avoided.

How do I recognise a current?

1. Currents are strong streams of water that pull you away from the shore.
2. Currents are usually discoloured, sandy brown.
3. Currents ripple the surface of the sea.
4. Look out for water through a surf zone that is a different colour than that of the surrounding water.
5. A break in the incoming pattern of waves.
6. Seaweed or debris moving out through the surf zone.
7. Isolated turbulent and choppy water in the surf zone.

If you do get caught in a rip-current

1. Do not panic. Do not try to swim against the current.
2. Tread water by moving your arms and legs in circular movements to stay afloat. Keep your lungs gently filled with air to aid in your buoyancy.
3. Raise one arm in the air and shout for help.
4. The rip current force dissipates the further out to sea it gets, so at your first opportunity, swim parallel to the shore front until you are free of the rip and then use the incoming waves to help you get back to shore.

Ocean safety tips

1. Never swim alone.
2. Respect the ocean – never stand with your back to the ocean.
3. Only swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
4. Make sure your feet can always touch the ground.
5. Hold your child’s hand.
6. Keep an eye on a fixed point or marker on the beach.
7. Do not swim in rough water, but do not underestimate ‘calm’ seas either.
8. Before entering the water, look out for rip currents.
9. Consuming alcohol and bathing holds the same risks as drinking and driving.

Fire in the house

When a fire breaks out in your home, there’s no time to waste.

Fire spreads quickly and there is little or no time to gather valuables or make a phone call. In just two minutes, a fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes, a residence can be engulfed in flames.

Make sure you have the fire department’s number saved on your cellphone – or better yet, learn it off by heart.
uMhlathuze Fire Department 035 797 3313/3911

Here are a few rules that could save your life in the event of a fire:

• If the fire is small and manageable (e.g. a pan on the stove that caught fire), extinguish it. Pull the fire extinguisher’s pin, aim at the base of the flames, squeeze the extinguisher handle, and sweep from side to side until the fire is completely extinguished.
• Wake everyone in the house. Agree where you will meet outside.
• Get out! To escape a fire and its fumes, crawl to the closest exit. Staying low to the ground will help protect you from inhaling smoke and toxic gases.
• Never open a door that is hot to the touch. If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop and roll. Cover your face with your hands as you roll to protect it from the flames.
• If you have to smash a glass door or window to escape hit the top of the pane first to prevent the glass from falling down on you.
• Never go back into a burning house for pets or personal belongings.
• If you’re trapped inside a burning building, cover the cracks around the door with a wet jacket, blanket or towels.
• If you’re on an upper storey, hang something large from the window to catch people’s attention. Do not try to climb out.

After a fire:

1. Get permission from fire department officials before you re-enter the fire damaged structure.
2. Do not turn on gas, water or the electricity until a professional has deemed them safe.
3. Find your pets and make sure they are fine.
4. Call your insurance company to notify them of the fire.
5. Take photographs and detailed notes of all the fire damage.
   Retrieve your valuable belongings and irreplaceable heirlooms before leaving the property.

Facing a financial crisis

Borrowing money and taking up debt might seem like an immediate solution if your pockets are empty, but if you cannot afford the repayments, interests and legal fees, your debt will quickly turn into a nightmare.

Here are things you could do:

1. Talk to your credit providers and landlord. Be honest about your situation and ask if they can be lenient with reduced instalments while you find your feet again.
2. Determine if you have credit life insurance. For many credit agreements you are charged an additional fee for such insurance, which will cover you in the event of death, redundancy and disability.
3. If you have lost your job, you can submit an application to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) to receive a portion of your salary for up to six months.
4. Cut costs. Now is a good time to cancel your Netflix/DStv subscription and all the other little luxuries which eat up your monthly budget. Take-aways, alcohol and cigarettes are some of the biggest culprits. Do not cancel your medical aid and life insurance policies, however, you will need them in the future.
5. Do not pay for something if you could do it yourself. You can save a lot of money on things like washing your own car, mowing your own lawn, grooming your own dog and even cleaning your own house.
6. Keep your family healthy. Healthy meals, exercise and good hygiene will help to reduce medical expenses.
7. If times are really tough and you’re battling to feed your family, or keep a roof over your head, don’t be ashamed to find help. Your local church, or NGO such as LifeLine should be able to assist.

Valuable contact numbers:

LifeLine – 035 7897788 / 0861 322322.
Richards Bay Family Care – www.richardsbayfamilycare.co.za
Do I Care Enough? – Karen 035 7990500

My phone has been hacked

You opened an attachment that you probably shouldn’t have and now your computer or smartphone is acting up.

Your device has probably been compromised and infected with a virus or other malware.

How do you know that you have been hacked?

1. A significant decrease in battery life
   The malware or spy app may be using your smart device’s resources to scan the device and transmit the information back to a criminal server.
   If your device freezes up frequently, shuts down and restarts repeatedly or certain apps suddenly crash, this could be the malware overloading the phone’s resources or clashing with other applications.
2. High data usage could be the sign of a compromised phone, as malware or spy apps running in the background, sending information back to its server, often use additional data.
3. Unusual activity on any accounts linked to the device
   Hackers that have access to your device, also have access to its accounts, your social media profiles, email and apps. If you notice strange activity your accounts may have been breached.
4. Change your passwords.
5. Be wary of open Wi-Fi networks.
6. Have a strong Gmail password. A cracked Google account means a cracked Gmail, the primary email for many users.
7.  A good mobile security app such as Avast will go a long way in protecting your device.
8. It’s a good idea to always back up your important files and images, in the event that your device ever gets compromised.
9. If you do suspect that your device has been hacked, switch it off immediately and disconnect it from the Internet. If you are not computer savvy, take your device to a computer technician as soon as you can.

Someone’s having a heart attack

Heart attacks are one of the leading causes of death. However, it is possible to survive a heart attack by getting the right treatment fast.

How to recognise a heart attack

1. Heavy pressure, tightness, unusual discomfort or crushing pain in the centre of the chest are early indications of a heart attack. This may spread to the shoulders, arms, neck or jaw.
2. In women, symptoms include nausea, vomiting, back or jaw pain, shortness of breath and chest pain.
3. Symptoms could last more than 15 minutes and may stop or weaken and then return.
4. It may be accompanied by sweating, nausea, faintness or shortness of breath. The pulse could be rapid or weak.
5. If you experience unexplained chest pain that lasts for more than a few minutes, do not delay.
6. Call an ambulance and state that you are dealing with a suspected heart attack. At the hospital, make sure they know that you have a medical emergency.
7. The sooner someone gets to the emergency room, the better the chance of survival. Prompt medical treatment also reduces the amount of damage done to the heart after an attack.

If you witness someone having a heart attack, it is important to act fast.

1. Firstly, call an ambulance. Keep the patient calm and have them sit or lie down.
2. The best position is on the floor leaning against a wall with knees bent and head and shoulders supported. This should ease the pressure on their heart and stop them hurting themselves if they collapse.
3. Loosen any tight clothing.
4. If the person is not allergic to aspirin, have them chew and swallow an aspirin. It works faster when chewed and not swallowed whole.
5. Keep checking their breathing, pulse and level of response.
6. If they lose responsiveness at any point, open their airway, check their breathing, and prepare to treat someone who has become unresponsive. You may need to do CPR, if you have been trained to do so.

In case of emergency, phone 035 791 5301/5311. Cardiac Centre of Excellence, Melomed Private Hospital Richards Bay

I have been arrested

A person may be arrested either on the strength of a warrant of arrest or when a police officer witnesses a person committing an offence or has probable cause to believe that a person was involved in the commission of a crime.

What do i do?

1.  Cooperate. Do not try to run away or resist the arrest. Never offer to pay a bribe.
2. You have the right to know why you’re being arrested. Police must inform you of the charges on which you are being arrested.
3. You have the right to request a copy of the warrant of arrest.
4.You have the right to remain silent. Police may ask your residential address, but besides that, you are not compelled to make any confession or admission that could be used as evidence against you.
5. You have the right to be brought before a court as soon as reasonably possible, but not later than 48 hours after the arrest. If the period of 48 hours expires outside ordinary court hours or on a day which is not an ordinary court day, the accused must be brought before a court not later than the end of the first following court day.
6. You have the right to seek legal counsel. Before making a statement to the police, if you are unable to afford this service, legal counsel will be provided.
7. You have the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. After an arrest you will most likely be detained at a police station. You may be searched by a person of the same sex. The police have the right to take your fingerprints and take photographs.
8. You have the right to be detained in conditions that are consistent with human dignity (provided with accommodation, food and basic medical treatment). The detained person may communicate with, and be visited by, his/her spouse or partner, next of kin, chosen religious counsellor, and chosen medical practitioner.

My car broke down

Your car breaks down and you are left stranded at the side of the road – now what?

1. Keep calm and try not to panic.
2. Pull over into the emergency lane or onto the shoulder of the road, as far left as possible.
3. Turn on your hazard lights.
4. Put your warning triangle on the road about 45 metres behind your car.
5. Keep your lights on if it is dark or visibility is poor.
6. Call for roadside assistance. Most insurers offer emergency roadside assistance.
7. Use your GPS or cellphone to tell them your exact position so that you can be quickly and easily located.
8. Call a friend or family member and tell them where you are. If possible, ask someone to come and sit with you while you wait for roadside assistance.
9. Do not get out of your car. Keep all your doors locked and your windows closed.
10. Do not open the bonnet of your car: This will block your view and you won’t be able to see if anyone is approaching.
11. Never accept offers of a lift or assistance from strangers.
12. When roadside assistance arrives do not immediately get out of your car. Ask to see their identification first – they should also know your name and reference number as well.
13. If you have a flat tyre, drive slowly to a place of safety and change your tyre there.
14. These are dangerous times and a breakdown can be life-threatening. Be prepared for any eventuality. Have the roadside assistance numbers of your insurance provider at hand. Make sure that your cellphone is fully charged so that you are able to call for help.
15. Always ensure that your car is properly maintained and that you have enough petrol in your tank to avoid the risk of running out of fuel.
16. Always tell a friend or family member where you are going, what route you will be taking and what time you expect to arrive at your destination. Have a tracking device installed if possible.

My child has swallowed poison

Poisoning can be deadly, so it is important to urgently get medical attention if you suspect your child has ingested poison.

Signs of poisoning:

1. Nausea, abdominal cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting.
2. Difficulty breathing, coughing up blood, turning blue, lethargy and convulsions. There may be burn marks in or around the mouth.

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

1. Determine what poison was taken, how long ago and how much. Phone the Poison Information Centre and ask for instructions of what to do. 0861 555 777
2. Keep a sample of the poison, such as an empty container or a leaf of the poisonous plant.
3. Do not make the child vomit. This may lead to further harm, especially if the child had swallowed a corrosive substance.
4. Do not give fluid, including milk, Syrup of Ipecac, or activated charcoal unless you are advised to do so by the Poison Information Centre.
5. If a harmful substance has spilt on the child, remove the child’s clothing and wash the skin (and eyes, if affected) with clean water for at least 15 minutes.

The following common household items can be poisonous:

1. Rat poison, insect repellent, moth balls
2. Medicine
3. Laundry capsules
4. Hair relaxers, perm chemicals or dye
5. Weed killer / drain cleaner / bleach
6. Thinners / paraffin / battery acid / petrol
7. Swimming pool chemicals
8. Firelighters
9. Glue
10. Certain plants and mushrooms

I’m in an armed robbery/hijacking

What should you do if you find yourself face to face with an armed robber or hijacker?

1. Stay calm. Obey the robbers’ orders and do only what they demand.
2. Do not argue. Speak only if spoken to. Answer in a confident voice and with short sentences.
3. Do not make sudden gestures. Ensure the robber can always see your hands.
4. Don’t be a hero. Hand over valuables and property if they demand it. Your life is worth more than your possessions!
5. If the robbers leave, do not hinder or try to apprehend them.
6. Avoid eye contact, but be observant. Note the robber’s age, race, height, weight, colour eyes, hair style, clothing, type of weapon and other distinctive signs (scars or tattoos).
7. Do not give chase when the robbers take off. Note the direction of their get-away and a description of their vehicle.
8. After a home invasion, close and lock the doors immediately and call for help by activating the home alarm system.
9. The golden rule is to not aggravate the robber. Show them you are not a threat and that you will cooperate. Lift up your arms to show you have no weapon and will surrender.
10. In a hijacking situation, use your left arm to undo your seatbelt and put your car in neutral.
11. Do not turn off your car.
12. Leave everything in the car and get out slowly. Try to angle your body sideways so you are not facing a firearm head-on.
13. If you are alone, move away from the vehicle. If you have children in the back, say loudly but calmly, ‘children’, and move to the driver’s side back door. It’s good safety practice to have your child seated behind the driver. This is especially important if the child is in a safety seat.
14. If you have more than one child, the eldest should be by the door and the youngest behind the passenger side seat. This allows the eldest to cling to you while, with your right hand, you take hold of the younger.
15. While removing your kids, place your right foot firmly in the car to both balance yourself and to ensure that, in the event that the vehicle moves, you will fall into it with the kids.
16. Once the kids are out, don’t look at the hijacker and move away from the vehicle.
17. Don’t shout for help until the vehicle moves off.

Severe storm warning / flash floods expected

Apart from sharing the warnings on social media, what should you do when a severe storm is heading your way? Be prepared and minimise damage by following these steps

1. Check your weather updates. If you are told to evacuate your home, do so – especially if your house has flooded before.
2. If there’s enough time, collect important documents like birth certificates and insurance documents and keep them with you in a waterproof container.
3.  Disconnect all electrical devices.
4. Move all essential items in your house to higher ground. Lift electric and wooden items off the ground, as they are the most easily damaged when they get wet.
5.  Park your vehicles in the garage. Don’t park near water bodies or storm drainage pipes.
6. Secure everything that could become flying objects, like garbage cans, lawn furniture and garden ornaments.
7. Remove hanging baskets and potted plants from exposed decks and patios. If they are too big to be moved indoors, cluster them together in a protected area. Lay large potted trees on their side in a sheltered location and strap them down.
8. Remove dead, rotting or damaged tree branches.
9.  Stake small trees and shrubs to provide support in high winds. Put sandbags or large bags of garden soil around vulnerable garden beds.
10.  If there is enough time, clean your house’s gutters, drains and downpipes, and make sure the roof is in good repair.
11.  Once the storm is about to hit, close all the windows in your house.
12.  If you can hear thunder, go indoors and stay there for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder clap. Keep away from windows and doors.
13. Avoid using electrical equipment and telephones. Never take a bath, shower or use plumbing during a thunder storm.
14.  If you are outside and cannot reach a safe building, stay away from tall objects, such as trees, poles, wires and fences. Take shelter in a low lying area.
15.   Avoid walking through floodwaters – even knee deep water can sweep you off your feet.
16. Never try to drive through a flooded area.
17.  Don’t venture outside until the storm is over. And once you do, beware of damaged tree branches overhead.