We can all agree that it’s been a tough year for almost everyone. So, it is understandable that many are absolutely looking forward to the holidays.
However, safety is a direction you should endeavour to look towards even as we are all caught up in the hustle and bustle surrounding holiday celebrations.

In this article, we outline some health hazards to watch out for in the festive season and the ways in which you could prevent them.

It is a given that the season is a period of reunions, ceremonies and social get-togethers. But as the pandemic year is rounding off, the last thing you’d want is to put yourself and yours in harm’s way.

Top 4 Health Hazards to Watch out for in the Festive Season:

Home accidents:

The festive period is awash with incidents of home hazards because the season involves a lot of activities which will likely lead to accidents like falls, burns, cuts and even electrocutions.

Be cautious in your use of electronic gadgets, be careful in your cooking and mindful of your environment to minimise if not totally eliminate the chances of these accidents.

Should you have children around, it is imperative to be extra watchful of them this period to make sure they do not engage in games and activities that are prone to danger.

It will also be helpful to have a First Aid box readily available in case of eventualities. A proper administration of first aid treatment can help to reduce the severity of injuries before you can access professional care.
Make sure to Sign Up on KompleteCare to be able to receive remote care via video/audio medical consultations.

Food poisoning:

The norm this season includes eating meals that may not be cooked by you either in parties, ceremonies and reunions. Because of the holiday rush, foods prepared during this time may not be well preserved or sufficiently stored. If proper care is not observed, one of the health hazards to watch out for in this festive season is the risk of food poisoning.

To prevent food poisoning, be careful about what and where you eat. A better choice is to stick to taking presealed drinks in parties and preserved foods.
In your homes, endeavour to wash the beef, mutton or chicken properly. Ensure vegetables and fruits are washed thoroughly.
You will just have to pay extra attention to hygiene especially in the kitchen.

Road accidents:

Unfortunately, the yuletide season almost always records an increase in the occurrence of road accidents due to the frequent use of the road in this period. For your safety, you could minimise the frequency of your road travel. It is safer to travel by air (if you can afford it). You could also save some money should you choose to book your flight tickets on time.

Read more on How to Drive Safely in the Festive Season.

Fire outbreaks:

The holidays fall in the Harmattan period, and since the weather is dry, fire outbreaks are one of the very common health hazards to watch out for in the festive season.
Ensure you are cautious about any fire you make be it indoors or outdoors. Another home fire hazard this period is connecting the Christmas lights or lighting Christmas candles. Therefore, extra caution is required at all times.
If you must burn things, stick around the fire to make sure that it is not spreading out.

The young ones will love to use fire crackers for fun in the bustle of the celebration. Endeavour to make sure they handle these ‘bangers’ with care to avoid home accidents or fire outbreaks.

Prioritizing Your Health

Travelling from your base to celebrate the yuletide holiday is rampant with the season. So, if you have an existing health challenge, Register on KompleteCare to continue to be in touch with a physician while you are away.

And should any of these health hazards to watch out for in the festive season unfortunately occurs, having to talk to an expert doctor from the comfort of your home may come in handy.

Lastly, do not forget to wash your hands and sanitize them frequently as you enjoy the bliss of social gatherings. Stay safe out there.

Merry Christmas in advance!

from all of us at KompleteCare.