Unwinding safely during vacations: Tips from experts

IMAGE: Jan Walter Luigi via Unsplash

MANILA, Philippines—Last month, on March 16, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) officially announced the start of the dry season in the country.

What does this mean?

As the dry season persists, causing hotter temperatures across the country, more Filipinos—as well as foreign tourists—start to flock to popular beaches and other leisure destinations to beat the heat, by either dipping in the waters or soaking up cool wind.

While these activities are natural or usual among local and foreign tourists, especially amid hot weather, there are still dangers and hazards to watch out for.

In fact, the country annually observes the commemoration of Vacation Hazards Prevention Month every April—which is part of the yearly celebration of the Safety and Accident Prevention Year declared by Proclamation No. 115-A signed in 1966 by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

The proclamation aims to promote “safety consciousness” in the midst of “indisputable evidence of a considerable rise in accident occurrence every year.”
It also promotes the notion that prevention is better than cure in various fields each month of the year.

“These accidents not only cause heavy financial losses and consequent economic dislocation among those affected and to our country at large but also immeasurable human suffering,” the proclamation stated.

In this article, INQUIRER.net will detail some of the common vacation hazards and some tips on how to prevent falling victim to these dangers.

Home safety

During vacation holidays, hazards are likely to occur at home, especially since most people tend to travel for a day or over a week and leave their homes unsupervised.

According to the website safewise.com, cases of burglaries usually rise during the summer in temperate countries and dry season in tropical ones, or months “which is peak vacation time for most of us.”

“And thieves know the best time to strike is when your home is vacant,” it added.

GRAPHICS: NDRRMC

Another common hazard during the summer season is a house fire, which according to the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) can occur when people leave lighted candles, lamps, or cigarettes; unplugged electrical devices; and open LPG valves—among others—unattended before going out for trips or vacations.

GRAPHICS: NDRRMC

Summer heat

On March 17, Dagupan City’s heat index hit 53 degrees Celsius, the highest heat index so far in the city and the country—which, according to Pagasa weather specialist Obet Badrina, constitutes “extreme danger.”

Badrina likewise warned the public that the temperature might continue to rise in April.

GRAPHICS: Ed Lustan

“It is currently hot and dry season so we warn the public to be careful because the weather will be hot and we expect our temperature to rise even more this April.”

READ: Pagasa: April will be hotter; Dagupan City logs year’s highest heat index yet at 53°C

Among the dangers of blistering temperatures include heat-related illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, sunburn, rash, and potentially fatal heatstroke.

GRAPHICS: Ed Lustan

In hot weather, the body cools itself through perspiring. “The evaporation of your sweat regulates your body temperature,” the US-based nonprofit organization Mayo Clinic explained.

However, vigorous activity during extreme heat and humid weather affects the body’s ability to cool itself efficiently.

When this happens, internal heat can build up to “dangerous” levels, said Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Aside from high heat index, hot weather, and strenuous activity, Mayo Clinic likewise identified dehydration, alcohol intake, and overdressing as some causes of heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heatstroke.

GRAPHICS: Ed Lustan

It also said that infants, children, and adults over 65 years old are at higher risk of experiencing heat-related illnesses.

“The body’s ability to regulate its temperature isn’t fully developed in the young and may be reduced by illness, medications, or other factors in older adults,” the organization said on its website.

Certain medications and obesity can also affect the body’s ability to remain hydrated and respond appropriately to heat.

Other vacation risks

According to World Health Organization (WHO), traveling increases risks to personal health and wellbeing.

Such risks include environmental risks.

“Travelers often experience abrupt and dramatic changes in environmental conditions, which may have detrimental effects on health and well-being,” said WHO.

“Travel may involve major changes in altitude, temperature and humidity, and exposure to microbes, animals, and insects,” it added.

GRAPHICS: Ed Lustan

Depending on the travel destination, travelers may also be exposed to a number of infectious diseases, such as:

• foodborne and waterborne diseases
• vector-borne diseases
• zoonoses (diseases transmitted by animals)
• sexually transmitted diseases
• bloodborne diseases
• airborne diseases
• diseases transmitted via soil

WHO also warned the public of the hazards associated with swimming and recreational water sports.

“The most important health hazards in recreational waters are drowning and impact injuries, particularly head and spinal injuries. It is estimated that more than 300 000 deaths are caused by drowning every year,” said WHO.

GRAPHICS: American Red Cross

Some cases of drowning can be non-fatal, but can still have lifelong effects on health.

“Drowning may occur when an individual is caught in a tide or rip current, is trapped by rising tides, falls overboard from a boat, becomes trapped by submerged obstacles, or falls asleep on an inflatable mattress and is carried out to sea,” said WHO.

“In swimming pools and spas, drowning or near-drowning and other injuries may occur close to outlets where suction is strong enough to catch body parts or hair so that the head is trapped underwater. Drowning in swimming pools may be related to slip–trip–fall incidents leading to loss of consciousness on impact,” it added.

GRAPHICS: Ed Lustan

“If the water is not clear it may be difficult to see submerged swimmers or obstacles, increasing the chances of an accident in the water.”

Meanwhile, impact injuries due to diving accidents can affect the head or spine—which may result in a concussion, loss of memory and/or motor skills, and various degrees of paraplegia or quadriplegia.

Avoid vacation hazards

To prevent common hazards from ruining vacation activities, experts had given some tips and information on how to unwind safely.

To deter burglars and avoid cases of burglaries, safewise.com listed some steps to take to tighten security before people hit the road for summer vacation. The website recommended the public to:

• Tell a neighbor about travel plans and ask them to help keep an eye on the house or property and alert the house owners or residents of any suspicious activity.
• Lock all windows and doors.
• Temporarily halt mail and newspaper delivery.
• Make sure to put away any tools that can be used to gain entry to houses, such as ladders, rakes, and patio furniture.
• Do not post travel plans on social media.

For a fire-free summer vacation, the BFP reminded the public to observe fire precautions.

“Since most Filipino families get away from their homes during Holy Week for a vacation or engaging in Semana Santa activities, everyone must observe the importance of practicing fire safety before leaving the house,” BFP said in a previous statement.

GRAPHICS: Ed Lustan

“Make sure to always unplug electrical appliances; switch off the main source of power; do not leave lighted candles, lamps, or cigarettes; close LPG valve; and secure flammable/ combustible substances in a safe area,” BFP added.

To prevent heat-related illnesses amid the sweltering weather, the Department of Health (DOH) provided the following suggestions:

• Limit the amount of time you spend outdoors.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Avoid tea, coffee, soda, and alcohol.
• Schedule heavy-duty activities for the beginning or end of the day, when it’s cooler.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommended the following:

• Choose lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• Cut down on exercise or strenuous activities during the heat.
• Wear sunscreen.
• Avoid hot and heavy meals.

In addition, Johns Hopkins Medicine advised the public to opt for water and sports drink and limit the intake of caffeinated tea, coffee, soda, and alcohol, as these can lead to dehydration.

It also recommended that people with chronic conditions to talk with their health care provider about extra precautions to protect themselves against heatstroke.

READ: EXPLAINER: Prevent heat exhaustion, heat stroke, other related illness

According to WHO, in some instances, diseases caught when traveling can be prevented by vaccination, but there are some infectious diseases, including some of the most important and most dangerous, for which no vaccines exist.

“General precautions can greatly reduce the risk of exposure to infectious agents and should always be taken for visits to any destination where there is a significant risk of exposure, regardless of whether any vaccinations or medication have been administered,” the WHO said.

To reduce the risks of swimming or water sports, WHO advised the public to:

• Adopt safe behavior in all recreational waters: use life jackets where appropriate, pay attention to, and seek information from local residents regarding tides and currents, and avoid outlets in spas and swimming pools.
• Ensure constant adult supervision of children in or near recreational waters, including small volumes of water.
• Avoid consumption of alcohol before any activity in or near water.
• Check the depth of the water carefully before diving, and avoid diving or jumping into murky water as submerged swimmers or objects may not be visible

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