Harmattan season brings cold mornings, dusty air, and very dry weather. While many people enjoy the cool breeze, this season can quietly affect health and safety if proper care is not taken.
Below are seven simple tips you should follow to stay safe and comfortable throughout the Harmattan period.
1. Prevent fire risks. During Harmattan the air becomes very dry, and fire outbreaks can rise. Avoid bush burning, keep fuel stored safely, and check electrical installations to prevent sparks and accidents.
2. Drive with care in dusty conditions. Dust and haze can make it hard to see clearly on the roads. When driving, use headlights on low beam to reduce glare and reflections, keep a safe distance, and slow down, especially in early mornings and evenings.
3. Look after your breathing and lungs. The Harmattan dust can irritate the respiratory system and trigger asthma, especially for children and older adults. Limit your time in dusty areas, and if you have asthma, keep your inhaler or prescribed medication with you at all times.
4. Keep your skin, lips, and eyes healthy. Dry air tears moisture from your skin and eyes. Use a good oily cream to protect your skin, avoid strong antiseptic soaps that dry the skin further, wash your eyes with clean water if dust gets in, and wear protective glasses when outdoors.
5. Stay hydrated and eat safe food. The dry weather causes the body to lose water faster, so drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Wash fruits and vegetables well before eating, and avoid eating from unhygienic food hawkers.
6. Cover your drinking water. Dust particles can contaminate open water. Make sure all containers are properly covered so your drinking water stays clean and safe.
7. Keep up with basic health protections. Harmattan season overlaps with higher risk for infections like meningitis. Ensure you and your family are up to date on routine immunizations.
Harmattan does not have to make you uncomfortable or sick. With these simple steps, you can protect your health and enjoy the dry season safely.
Expert Safety Guidance from Engr. Jamiu Badmos
According to Engr. Jamiu Badmos, a registered engineer and internationally certified Quality, Health, Safety, Security, and Environment professional, proactive safety measures are essential during seasonal changes like Harmattan.
According to a safety advisory published on the Jamiu Badmus Blog, the following key safety measures should be prioritized during the Harmattan season to protect health and prevent avoidable hazards:
• Implement preventive fire safety measures; no bush burning, prevent electrical sparks and avoid indiscriminate storage of fuel etc
• Drivers should drive with lights on low beam in view of reflections from high beams that heighten poor visibility during this period.
• Asthmatic patients should reduce exposure to the dusty atmosphere in addition to having their inhaler with them all the time.
• Keep your skin healthy by topical application of oily creams and weather friendly dressing.
• Avoid excessive use of antiseptic soaps; the use of very strong antiseptics tend to make the skin to dry up.
• Proper eye hygiene in form of washing with clean water, reduced exposure to dust and wearing of protective spectacles should be encouraged.
• Patients with sickle cell anaemia should be vigilant and keep warm as much as possible to prevent crises.
• Fruits and vegetables should be properly washed before eating.
• It is unhealthy for people to patronize all manner of food hawkers throughout the season.
• Our drinking water containers should be properly covered.Routine Meningitis immunizations should be in top gear around this period.
• Lots of fluid should be taken to compensate for loss of water from the body into the atmosphere through respiration, perspiration and urination.
