Rather be safe than sorry this holiday
Here are a few things to remember when going on holiday
As the year draws to a close and the festive season starts, ER24 is urging everyone not to let their guard down while they go on vacation.
If you plan on driving to your destination, remember the following:
• Ensure your vehicle is roadworthy. Remember to check all fluids in the vehicle. Make sure the rear and front signal lights, wipers and headlights are working. Also check the tyre wear-and-tear.
• Ensure you have a spare wheel, first aid kit and fire extinguisher in the vehicle.
• It is never a bad idea to plan your route. Take note of all filling stations, police stations and hospitals.
• Have a look at the weather forecast for the route you are going to take as well as the area you will be spending time atm to determine if it is still worthwhile going. If you decide to go, make sure you pack appropriately.
• When packing, consider where you are going and what you are going to be doing. Take the appropriate clothes and shoes.
• Keep a list of telephone numbers of people to contact and your medical history. That will come in handy in case of an emergency.
• Let people you trust know where you are going and when they can expect you back.
• Always ensure children in the vehicle are appropriately restrained. Use a child safety seat where applicable and ensure it is strapped in correctly.
Remember the following when outdoors:
If you plan on going camping or sightseeing, there are a few things to keep in mind. Do some research about the area if you have never been there. It is better to know what to expect so you can plan accordingly. Some areas may be high-risk for malaria, for example. It is vital for people to take medication prior to visiting a high-risk area to reduce chances of being infected.
If you go hiking or sightseeing to areas that include cliffs, be aware of your surroundings. Be careful as you could be stepping on loose stones or rocks.
Remember the following to help prevent drowning:
Planning to visit the sea or relax around a swimming pool? Remember that anyone, even those who can swim, is at risk of drowning.
Never allow a child 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. After a while, you may struggle due to fatigue or get swept further away by strong currents.
Wearing a life jacket is vital. Only swim in designated areas that are supervised by lifeguards. Never swim alone. Remember your life jacket when participating in water sports.
What to do if someone is drowning:
If you are at the beach and you see a person drowning, inform a lifeguard immediately. Ensure you wear a life jacket if you decide to save the person yourself. If you are able to get the person out of the water, initiate CPR if there is no pulse and breathing. Do not stop CPR unless the person starts to breathe on their own.
Call for an ambulance as soon as you are able to or get someone to do so.
Pre-journey safety checks:
• Tyre pressure / Tread
• Lights and brakes are in good order
• Check windscreen for cracks and make sure windscreen wipers are effective
• Check fluid levels (oil, water and windscreen cleaner)
What to do in an accident:
Many people, when involved in an accident, do not know what to do. Some guidelines and suggestions are outlined below.
• Stop immediately
• Establish whether or not any parties have sustained injuries
• Provide your name, address, registration and who the owner is of your vehicle to the other parties involved and get the same information from them. Always carry a notebook and pen in your car.
• If there are injuries, do not move the vehicles. Call the police and ER24 on 084 124 and only move the vehicles with the authority of a traffic officer
• Do not consume alcohol or take any drugs before reporting to a police station.
• Make sure you record the date, time and all the details of the accident (diagrams are helpful here).
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at krugersdorpnews@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
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