Wellness Café

Stay safe this festive season

Nov 19, 2024

It’s easy to let your guard down as you get swept up in the holiday madness of work parties, family get-togethers and holidays plans. But it doesn’t mean your common sense should also be taking a break just because you’re having a good time.

Here’s how to put safety first and have a fun, fuss-free festive season.

Out and about

Keep your wits about you, and make sure your valuables are secure in busy markets, crowded malls and public transport hubs. This is where criminals are more likely to be operating.
When taking holiday selfies, be aware of your surroundings. Don’t take chances, especially near ledges, stairs or water.
We know not to drink and drive, but walking or cycling when you’ve had a few is also dangerous. Rather organise a lift home or sip alcohol-free drinks.
Before a car trip, check tyres, roadworthiness and petrol – you don’t want to spoil your holiday with a breakdown.
Keep your phone charged and airtime topped up in case you need to call for help.

Kids and celebrations

Kids should always be under the watchful eye of a responsible adult around water. Make sure younger children are wearing armbands or other appropriate floatation devices.
Don’t leave kids alone around a fire, whether it’s a braai, candles or camping stoves. Always have an extinguisher, or bucket of water or sand nearby.

Financial savvy

Avoid overspending by setting a budget for gifts, outings and travel. Then stick to it.
Try and save a little during the year to avoid buying on credit.
Keep an eye on your bank balance and spending habits.

Health is wealth

Protect yourself from the damaging rays of the sun. Yes … even if you have a dark skin. Cover up in the heat of the day, use a sunscreen with a high protection factor, and wear a hat and sunglasses.
Stay hydrated in our hot summer. Carry a refillable water bottle with you, and sip throughout the day.
Stick to the recommended daily limits of one alcoholic drink for women and two for men. One drink = one standard can of beer or a small glass of wine.

Reference

ER24 holiday emergencies

LATEST POSTS

Paying attention to disability awareness

Did you know that around 8.6 million people in South Africa live with some level of disability?
That’s more than all the people living in the Eastern Cape.
Disabilities include problems with seeing, hearing, communicating, walking, remembering or concentrating, which can bring all types of day-to-day challenges. But it may not be the disability itself that causes everyday difficulty.

PSA: The blood test every man should know about

Moustache season is back! But, amid Movember’s buzz about facial fuzz, it’s important to remember what it’s all about: raising awareness of men’s health and prostate cancer.
Fortunately, prostate screening has come a long way. Now, a simple blood test lets doctors quickly identify changes that physical exams may miss.

5 surprising facts about ADHD

Think attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is shorthand for someone who can’t sit still and focus?
In fact, it’s not an inability to focus, it’s about regulating attention. Many people with ADHD describe becoming intensely focused on some tasks – known as ‘hyperfocus’ – while struggling to start or complete things that don’t grab their attention.

When children get cancer

No one wants to hear that a child has cancer. Fortunately, childhood cancer is rare and accounts for less than 1% of all cancers.
The danger is that many childhood cancers progress very quickly, so it’s important for caregivers to be aware of warning signs – and seek help.
With September being Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, now is the time to learn more.

When breastfeeding does not work for you

Breastfeeding is often portrayed as one of the most natural parts of motherhood – an instinctive, nurturing interaction between mother and child. But what if that image of effortless nursing doesn’t reflect your reality?
You’re not alone. In fact, 60-80% of new moms say they have difficulty breastfeeding. What’s more, in South Africa, the tally for infants under six months that are exclusively breastfed is less than one in three.