Harmattan is here again. It is the season where we have dry, cold and dusty environment, it is usually experienced in December, January and February.

Harmattan can cause great harm when not properly managed. Kindly seek medical help when you are feeling strange.

Below are measures that can be taken to keep ourselves and our built environment safe and healthy during this harmattan period.

Safety tips on hazard associated with coldness

• Keep yourself warm by putting on thick clothes and drink hot tea to avoid pneumonia, bleeding nose and other related diseases.

Safety tips on hazard associated with dust

• Asthmatic patients should avoid being expose to dust always keep their inhalers handy.
• Wash your eyes regularly with clean water to remove dust settlement and avoid reddish eyes.
• Avoid dust inhalation, cover your nose and mouth when you are in a dusty environment.
• Stay indoor when possible, shut the door and windows so as not to get yourself expose to dust.
• When driving, do not over speed, make use the full light.

Safety tips on hazard associated with dryness

• Drink enough water to maintain your body fluid balance and prevent dehydration. Avoid carbonated drinks.
• Apply moisturizer to prevent your skin from dryness.
• To prevent cracking of lips, use lip balm.
• Be very careful with ignition sources.

Due to dryness of materials in this period, fire can easily set and can quickly spread. We have to be very careful with ignition sources.

The following tips will help in preventing fire outbreak:

• Never overload an electrical socket.
• Switch off electrical appliances when not in use.
• When cooking, put great attention to it.
• Do not keep a naked flame.
• Sniff off cigarette light before disposing.
• Make available a fire extinguisher.

Safety is everybody’s responsibility, be safety conscious and lets keep our built environment safe.

Stay safe!