“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” but this heat seems slow and furious as if it’s on a mission to cook us all.
I can’t remember the last time I used my body cream, the few times I have had to go out, I did so looking white and I don’t feel bad about it because what is this heat we’re experiencing? I don’t know about you but it takes every ounce of home training to stay clothed when outside in this sweltering heat.
Even fans and ACs seem to have lost their functionality. Until recently, the heat seemed to be in competition with the rising dollar. I know it is a heatwave (Heatwave is simply the heat you feel in the environment due to hot air trapped in the atmosphere) and the culprit here is global warming, still I am tempted to believe those people who said someone went into hell and forgot to shut the door….this can’t be natural.
Global warming didn’t mean much to most Nigerians until recently. Everyone now carries an automatic/nonautomatic hand fan to manage the extreme heat day and night. In a twist of fate, the Government decided to increase the Electricity tariff. So it is as they say in pidgin; “double wahala for deadie body” but on a more serious note, we all have to pay attention to the current challenges posed by the heat wave because if neglected it might become deadly.
Although everyone can experience heat waves, infants, toddlers, elderly, and pregnant women are the most vulnerable to heat waves and if you don’t pay attention, you might just have an emergency on your hands, and as they say, prevention is better than cure. Therefore, to survive this heat wave here are some safety tips from UNICEF.
Secure Your House
The first place to fight the heat wave is your house. Always keep your curtains closed during the day and open at night. This is because the nights are cooler while the day is quite hot. Get a rechargeable fan and if possible, install an air conditioner. Just do what you can to keep your house cooler than it is outside.
Develop Healthy Habits
Good habits like staying hydrated will save you and your family in this period. Always make cool water available. Place it in a very accessible place for everyone in the house, especially the kids, elderly, and pregnant women. Regular cool baths would help to balance the body temperature, so always do this.
Dress Well
Always wear a bright colored cotton outfit, especially white. And if you must go out, a face towel and a cool bottle or flask with cold water should become part of your apparel in this period. Let’s not forget the sunshades; always wear them. Avoid anything that would cause you to sweat and stay hot, and a hand-held fan should always be in your bag.
Avoid The Heat
This is not the time to be outside. If you must go out please avoid the period when the day is hottest. You can find out about this by checking on the weather before going out for the day. You can take your vehicle out but never leave kids in a vehicle especially when you go out to make purchases. If you are walking down the road and you feel hot, please walk into any shop, get a cool bottle of water and cool off before continuing your journey.
Prepare for Emergency
Always have access to emergency numbers and services just in case there is a heat emergency. If you don’t have that, ensure you have access to someone who can be mobile within short notice. Don’t wait till it becomes a heat stroke. Once you start seeing rashes, know that you might need your safety game for the family. Have a first aid kit armed with Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS). Please always take the ORS when sweating profusely or when you notice a case of dehydration.
You know what they say about tough times; they don’t last, only tough people do. Please remember that although the heat wave might have been caused by global warming, it is our responsibility to stay safe and overcome the challenge of the heat. If it’s any consolation, the rains are almost here, until then, please stay safe!
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