cdn mobile

Safety in the summer

By: Editorial March 10,2014 - 09:36 AM

While we take  precautions to prevent the occurrence of accidental fires that break out in these hot months, we must also be vigilant about health.

The Department of Health issued on Friday an advisory about  protecting  ourselves from the consequences of the searing summer heat.
the short term, drink lots of water before stepping out.  Use  umbrellas or caps when we do and avoid excessive sun exposure.

Keep contact numbers of emergency rescue units and hospitals  handy in case someone needs to be brought to the  hospital due to heat stroke.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona said other common conditions to  which we are prone in the summer are vomiting and diarrhea, sore eyes or conjunctivitis, sunburn, colds and coughs, skin diseases and dog bites.

Vomiting and diarrhea  can be avoided if barangay health centers and local governments do their job of ensuring, among other things, that food sold in stalls and other outlets are hygienically prepared to keep away microbes that upset the internal organs.

Frequent hand-washing helps in prevent  contracting   sore eyes, as are isolating oneself if one has the condition to prevent the virus from spreading, and taking care to avoid rubbing the eyes with hands that are often in contact with germs.

Pet owners must do their best to keep their dogs, cats and other pets at home, as stray animals are more likely than their home-based counterparts to be exposed to  rabies.

We urge  public veterinarians to intensify the campaign for  rabies vaccines for pets.

The DOH  warning must be reechoed at the grassroots level.  Many people, especially children, still don’t know what they can do to avoid illness at a time when they should be taking advantage of plenty of leisure time with family and friends.

In the long run,  other  government agencies like those in charge of the environment and public utilities  must do their share in keeping our environment healthful even amid soaring temperatures.

Water supply becomes a crucial matter.

Sanitary sources and distribution lines ensure the populace doesn’t fall ill of water borne diseases.

Water conservation will be the call of the hour as Cebu’s groundwater sources  will be further strained by increased demand.

With the wet season over, any gains of a reforestation program will benefit residents in terms of  recharge of the aquifer and tree shade.

 

RELATED STORIES:

Will water cost more? MCWD targets to shift to surface water sources
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Read Next

Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.

TAGS: health, heat, Summer, water
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.