Is your health and safety at risk this Jamhuri Day?

Nothing beats the feeling of being free and as Richelle E. Goodrich puts it ” Freedom is the atmosphere in which humanity thrives. Breath it in.”

So every year on 12th December, Kenyans celebrate Jamhuri Day to celebrate the day Kenya became an independent republic.

As is the norm with Kenyans this is a time of joy, celebration, and connecting with loved ones.  You and your friends of family will most likely be attending parties, travelling and merrymaking during this time.

However, if you’re not careful, the lengths you go to celebrate can make you sick or put your health and safety and that of your loved ones at risk.

Tips on how to have a healthy and safe Jamhuri Day

1. Eating

 

  1. Eat more vegetables, whole grains and legumes which tend to be low in calories and high in dietary fibre. The benefit of eating foods rich in dietary fibre include;
    • Normalizes bowel movement
    • Helps maintain bowel health
    • Lowers cholesterol levels
    • Helps control blood sugar levels
    • Aids in achieving healthy weight
  2. Check your portions- there will likely be endless assortments of food which  can make it easy to overeat leading to stomach upsets.
  3. Wash your hands  while preparing foods, before eating and clean all fruits and raw vegetables before eating them.
  4. Eat only what you know- you might find it easy to eat something just because it’s there, focus on only eating the foods you know or love to avoid stomach upsets or embarrassing situations.

2. Drinking

If you’re drinking on Jamhuri day, make sure to follow our simple tips to stay safe;

  • Keep off water bodies- It’s very dangerous to go near the pool or sea when you’ve been drinking as this may result in drowning or injury
  • Set your limits- when taking free drinks you are likely to consume much more than you intended or even realise. Keep an eye on the measures you and your friends are taking.
  • Drink plenty of water – when you’re out in the sun, you need to drink plenty of fluids or you’ll become dehydrated
  • Line your stomach- drinking on any empty stomach may cause  you to get intoxicated at a much faster rate and increases the likelihood of experiencing alcohol related nausea and vomiting.
  • If travelling out of the country check local customs and laws when it comes to alcohol such as whether you can drink outside.

3. Travelling

Wherever you’re heading, if you’re travelling this Jamhuri day, you need to remember that everyone else may be going there too!

Below are some useful tips;

  • Don’t drink and drive, always have a designated driver available.
  • Avoid boarding overcrowded public service vehicles, trains or ferries
  • Always take a break after driving for a long period
  • Conserve the environment- do not litter the highways
  • Give your full attention to the road. Avoid distractions such as cell phones.
  • Use seat belts, observe speed limits, respect other road users and follow the traffic laws

4. Activities

 

As part of your Jamhuri Day celebrations, you may have planned an outdoor activity like hiking, zip lining, water rafting etc with friends or family. No matter how fun a particular activity can be, safety must always be your first concern.

Here are a few tips on how to maintain safety when taking part in outdoor activities

  1. Check for potential hazards
  2. Avoid areas that are too overcrowded
  3. Carry a first aid kit and learn some basic first aid
  4. Check the weather forecast in advance
  5. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
  6. Check your equipment- if an activity requires specific equipment, inspect it before your trip and maintain it in good working condition
  7. Be in good medical condition- If you have any medical conditions, discuss your plans with your doctor and get approval before departing.

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Are you or someone you know planning on travelling overseas for medical treatment for a chronic ailment e.g. cancer, knee or hip replacement, liver or kidney transplant; wellness checkup or to improve your form, shape or appearance through cosmetic procedures or reconstructive surgery?

Contact us on (+254) 0711 104 458, e-mail  or click here to request us to call you back.