Following the current excessive hot weather being experienced in the country in the past two weeks, the Lagos State Government has advised citizens to reduce the amount of time they spend in the sun as part of means to prevent illness as a result of the adverse weather condition.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who gave the advise in a statement at the weekend, also said strenuous activities that could result in overexposure to the sun such as sports and gardening must be avoided or done in the early hours of the day when the temperature is coolest.
Idris, who said children and the elderly are the most vulnerable, also advised that people should drink a lot of water and avoid drinks that contain alcohol and caffeine, adding that people should wear loose fitting, light-coloured clothings that cover as much of their skin as possible when outside.
Other protective measures against the heat, the commissioner said, include using protective gadgets such as hat, umbrella, sunglasses or sunscreen, taking cold baths and leaving the water to dry on the skin, controlling the temperature of work environment by proper ventilation, staying on the lowest floor of the house out of the sunshine and covering windows that receive sun with drapes or louvers.
The commissioner equally advised that where heat injury is suspected, the victim should relocate to a cooler place and rest, take off any excessive clothing and put on cool cloths and also fanning him or herself
Other actions that could be taken by the victim, the commissioner said, include drinking cool water that has salt and sugar as part of its ingredients, adding that if there is no improvement, the victim should call the 767 or 112 toll free line or report at the nearest health facility.