KZN Health MEC Dr Sandile Tshabalala urges New Year’s Eve revellers to exercise caution as they usher in the New Year
HEAD of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health Dr Sandile Tshabalala has urged New Year’s Eve revellers to exercise a little caution as they usher in the New Year, so as to avoid unnecessary injury or fatalities.
Dr Tshabalala says alcohol consumption is usually a major contributor to otherwise avoidable calamities such as motor vehicle crashes, or interpersonal conflicts, which may result in serious injury, loss of a limb, or death.
He says alcohol consumption may also impair judgement, which may expose individuals to unprotected sex, resulting in unplanned pregnancy, and sexually-transmitted infections, including HIV, or both.
Dr Tshabalala says it is easy for supposedly joyous occasions such as New Year’s Eve to turn sour. Historically, he says, come the first day of the New Year, it is not uncommon to find patients – including children – in clinics and hospitals, with firecracker-related injuries to the eye, face, and fingers that may even need to be amputated.
“We’re therefore saying that everybody needs to be careful around this time. Drinking and driving is a problem. In ushering the New Year, we urge people to take care of themselves. Avoid alcohol, or don’t over-consume it.
“Use of firecrackers may cause harm and create fires in the house. We must be careful, particularly in small spaces. Rather use firecrackers in areas that are open, far from children and elderly people. So, as people enjoy themselves, we urge them to do so responsibly, so that there are no regrets.”
Fireworks safety tips:
· Make sure that children and their friends are supervised at all times when around fireworks.
· Keep pets at home, in a safe, interior room to avoid exposure to loud sounds. Make sure they have an identification tag in case they run off.
· Do not discharge fireworks indoors.
· Never keep lit fireworks in your hand, as this could lead to severe injuries.
· Only discharge fireworks at designated sites away from people, animals, homes and cars.
· If a firework doesn’t ignite, do not attempt to re-light it. Wait at least 15 minutes before you try again.
· Keep a bucket of water or fire extinguisher nearby in case of a malfunctioning firework.
· Sparklers can be just as dangerous. Always light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves. Never hold a baby or child if you have a sparkler in your hand. Put finished sparklers with the hot end down in a bucket of water as soon as they have burnt out.
· Only light one firework at a time.
· Do not make your own fireworks.
· Only use fireworks as directed by the instructions printed on the package.
· Make sure that your clothes are not close or hanging over the fireworks when you ignite them.
· Do not light fireworks inside any type of container.
Issued by the KZN Department of Health
