As we all make our way to our favourite holiday destinations (even if that happens to be your own backyard or apartment veranda), it’s important that we do three things: a) have loads of fun, b) relax and c) stay safe while doing so. After all, 2020 is going to be one for the books and you want to arrive in the New Year with all your hopes, dreams and limbs intact. Here are a few top tips to help you stay safe over the summer holidays in sunny South Africa:
Embrace the buddy system
The buddy system is an age-old way of staying safe and can be applied in numerous ways. Headed to an entertainment venue in a beach town you’re not familiar with? Go with a friend and keep tabs on one another throughout the evening. In fact, go with a whole group if you can! Similarly, neighbours can keep an eye on each other’s properties when one family goes away for a while; and family members can share access to a Dropbox link with vital insurance and travel itinerary information when someone is headed abroad.
PRO TIP: Use the WhatsApp live location function to let your friends and family know how your journey is progressing if you’re travelling alone or late at night.
Take care of your health
If there is one thing that can derail a holiday quicker than anything else, it’s a bout of ill health. This summer, remember to take proper care of yourself. If you use chronic medication, fill your prescription before you go on vacation and set an alarm to remind yourself to take it (being out of routine can lead to forgetfulness in this regard).
Another nice way to boost your body to keep it healthy is to take a daily multivitamin and add a probiotic to the line-up to boost the digestion of all those festive meals. Oh, and wear sunscreen! Sunburn is such a drag.
Stay aware and trust your gut
In the end, the most important thing you can do stay safe is to stay vigilant. Trust your gut. This counts for everything from strangers who make you feel uncomfortable on public transport, to fishy SMS that claim to be from your bank, or folks who want to help you at the ATM. Rather be safe than sorry.
There you have it - a few top tips to help you stay safe while you enjoy some well-deserved time off these summer holidays.
IMAGE CREDIT: 123rf.com