A safe festive season is a happy festive season!


The festive season is fast approaching, it’s a time to relax, unwind and connect with family and friends.

Take the following precautions to help ensure you and your family’s health and safety these holidays

Road safety

  • Obey the rules of the road and carry your driving licence with you.
  • Make sure your vehicle is roadworthy before you leave.
  • Plan the route to your holiday destination and give yourself enough time to reach the destination.
  • Use a GPS or a road atlas to plan your trip in advance.
  • For peace of mind, try to stick to major routes or toll roads. If you are going to travel on the back roads, identify the towns along the route and what the distance is between them.
  • Do not get stranded without fuel; always plan ahead where you will refuel.
  • Plan rest stops along the way and if you are travelling with kids it is a great way to let them know when and where you will be stopping.
  • Always ensure that a friend or family member, who is not travelling with you, is aware of the route that you are planning to travel. Ideally, you should also update them on your progress of the journey and let them know when you have reached your destination safely.
  • Try to avoid driving after dark if possible.
  • Expect others not to be as obedient to the law as yourself.

(source: https://er24.info/road-safety-tips-for-the-long-weekend/)

Summer sun care tips

  • Apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen. Look for sunscreens with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more to all exposed skin when spending time outside, even if it’s cloudy. Reapply sunscreen after a few hours, and after activities where it may wash off your skin, such as swimming.
  • Wear protective clothing. Long sleeves, sunglasses and a hat can help protect you from the sun’s rays. Clothes labelled with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) is most effective.
  • Stay out of the sun during peak hours if at all possible. The sun’s rays are strongest between 10:00 and 14:00 – so avoid being in direct sunlight whenever possible.
  • Be careful, especially at the beach. Water and sand can reflect and intensify the sun’s rays, so be extra cautious to avoid sunburn.
  • Avoid tanning beds. Tanning beds, like the sun, can cause skin cancer. If you want to look tanned, consider using a spray or self-tanning product -- but continue to use sunscreen as well.

Source: ( www.hopkinsmedicine.org)

As part of ensuring you and your family’s safety, it is worthwhile to note these emergency numbers:

  • LA Health
    • If you are in a life-threatening medical emergency, phone 0860 999 911 immediately. We will send an ambulance and you will be taken to hospital if you need to be admitted.
  • Nationwide flying squad
    • 101111
  • Nationwide fire brigade
    • 10177