Eleven months of hard work have gone past and we are all looking forward to the hard-earned family time that awaits us in the next few weeks and days. Whether you will be traveling far or staying at home we want to urge each one of our readers to please be cautious and safe. With the matric Rage starting next week we want to share a few reminders in preparation and for safety so that all our readers can enjoy the well-deserved rest in comfort and accident free. Here are a few tips.
Preparing for the road that lies ahead
- It is important to have a basic first aid kid in your car. Remember also to pack any chronic medicine needed, getting prescriptions meds is not always as easily available as anticipated. Plan head for any allergies, insect bites and headaches.
- Sunburn and the resultant discomfort and pain can be prevented if you plan ahead and apply enough sunscreen.
- Emergencies come without warning and it is wise to plan ahead. Why not, update the maps on your phone or GPS and remember the charger and doc. Be prepared for anything and pack a charged flash light, rope, tool kit and any other vehicular equipment that might come in handy in a difficult situation.
- Make sure your Insurance is paid up to date and that you have their contact details should you need their assistance.
- Pack a spare set of car keys. Maybe give it to another traveling mate to keep safe or place it in a strategic place should you end up locking your keys in the car or losing it on the beach.
- Pack a warm jacket or blanket for the road. The roads in South Africa are diverse and one never knows what weather the next town will offer.
- Make sure you have a valid driver’s license, Id book/card and Bank/credit cards in your bag or back pocket.
- Pack some snacks and "Padkos”. One tends to enjoy the company and music in the car if there is something to nibble on or a something nice to eat when you see a picnic spot on a scenic route. Enough water and cold drinks will help you to stay hydrated and alert.
- Get enough rest before departing and remember to take a rest stop every 2 hours or 200km.
Emergency numbers
Prepare a list of emergency number for your final destination. Should you be visiting Plett, a basic list for your convenience is below:
- Police 044 501 1900
- Ambulance Metro control room 10177
- ER24 Med Care 084124
- Private Hospital 044 501 1900
- Dentist 044 533 6363
- NSRI 044 384 0211
- Fire Department 044 533 5000
- Municipality 044 501 3000
Drive Safely
- Wear your seat belt whenever you drive, and be sure that your child is buckled-in properly in a safety seat.
- Pay attention. Drive safely and be alert. Be aware of other drivers. Not everyone has safety on their mind.
- Keep a safe following distance and make frequent rest stops to freshen up.
- Carry your valid driver’s license at all times and check your vehicle's license disk expiry date before taking on the journey.
- Make sure you have a lift back to your accommodation if you plan to drink alcohol.
- Choose not to drink alcohol if you’re the driver of a group after a year-end function, party or just a gathering.
Swim safely
- Read and obey the beach regulations. Follow instructions and advice from the lifeguards. Know your warning flags. If in doubt, stay out.
- Swim in areas supervised by lifeguards – between two flags.
- Never swim alone. Supervise children closely, even when lifeguards are present. A personal flotation device is recommended for small children
- Do not drink alcohol before or during swimming, diving or boating. Alcohol impairs your judgement, balance, coordination and reduces your body’s ability to stay warm.
- Do not take glasses, glass bottles or glass containers to the beach as they can break and pose a threat to bare feet.
- Wear foot protection on rocky or hot sandy beaches.
Family Safety.
- Protect your skin from over-exposure to UVA and UVB rays by wearing water-proof sunscreen with a high protection factor of 20+. A hat is also very helpful to protect the face. Avoid the sun between the hottest times of the day: 11:00 – 15:00.
- Wear eye protection, good quality sunglasses protect against UV rays.
- Drink plenty of water regularly to avoid dehydration even if you don’t feel thirsty. Your body needs water to keep cool and to replace lost salts through sweating.
- Please note that Plett has a strict "No firework and No Chinese lantern" policy. This is for our own safety and for the safety of the veld and our 4 legged friends.
Making happy memories goes with making good decisions. We here at Century 21 want each of our holiday-makers to enjoy every second of their time spend in Plett. We wish everyone a happy festive season and a great run-up to the New Year. Enjoy your summer season!
