Monsoon can be kind to your mood. After all, what an ecstatic feeling it is to watch the rain pouring down, the sweet scent of it, and the lush greenery that surrounds you. It’s all glitter and rainbows when the rains are moderate but when they are heavy, the trouble begins.
The roads are flooded with water, muddy puddles, the seasonal flu, and the insects and mosquitoes that spread diseases are all around. Malaria, Dengue, Jaundice, and Typhoid are major diseases that people are likely to contract in the rainy season. In all, the aesthetics of monsoons turn into nightmares when it rains heavily. This is what is happening right now in most parts of India. Monsoons are getting ruthless by the day, water levels are rising, creating flood-like situations in most of the cities in India.
We cannot remain casual for our safety and of those around us. Here are a few tips that you can use to stay protected and be in the best of your health this rainy season.
Healthy diet and hygienic practices
Some basic diet and hygiene practices need to be kept in mind to be able to protect you and your family from health hazards during the monsoon season.
- Make it a point to drink purified or boiled water in the rainy season. Avoid drinking beverages from roadside vendors where you feel the ice/ water used may not be pure.
- Be extra cautious about eating street food or completely avoid it, because you will never be so sure about the quality and hygiene of the cooking process.
- Avoid eating pre-cut fruits and vegetables because bacteria tends to accumulate on them easily.
- Avoid stepping into puddles of water or walking in flood waters. If you can’t avoid it, then change your footwear and clothes immediately on reaching home, take a bath and wash your clothes and footwear thoroughly.
- Practice good hand hygiene especially during the monsoon to ensure your hands are clean while consuming food. This is necessary because harmful germs tend to multiply at a faster rate during the monsoon.
- Include fruits like oranges, mosambi, and apples in your diet during the monsoons. Since they are rich in vitamins and minerals that are essential for boosting immunity and fighting infection.
Stay away from electric wires and electric poles
Cases of electrocution begin to rise during monsoon. After all, the cities are full of electric poles and loose wires touching the flooded waters is quite common. Wading through water where a live wire has fallen can be fatal.
Stay away from water that is around an electric pole. If you come across a puddle where you find an electric wire fallen in it, you must inform the authorities to prevent any casualties.
In addition, refrain from parking your cars directly under the power connections.
You need to exercise caution at home too. Avoid touching electrical points if it is raining outside. Turn off the electrical switches when not in use. Consider switching on or switching off buttons with insulators such as wood or plastic, do not use wet hands at any cost.
Be on your guard against mosquitoes
It is during the monsoons that cases of dengue and malaria grow ten-fold. As mosquitoes lay their eggs in pools of stagnant water, it is the breeding season for mosquitoes. Hence, you must do the needful to protect yourself and your loved ones from these severe diseases.
For starters, you must wear mosquito repellent and full sleeves clothes all around the season. Secondly, you must also stay away from puddles or any place that has water collected, even at your home. Change the water in your coolers. Keep the windows closed if you live near water puddles. You must also inform the authorities about the same, so they can clear it up to avoid the breeding and spread of mosquitoes. When at home, consider using mosquito repellents to keep mosquitoes at bay.
Drive slowly
The rainy season has never been a driver’s best friend. We are not only talking about the frustrating traffic jams but road accidents that tend to increase during the season – all thanks to the slippery roads that are common during monsoons.
Hence, you must practice extreme precautions while you drive during the monsoon season. You must drive slowly, maintain distance between your car and the car in front of you, and keep your headlights on if it’s raining. Keep a newspaper handy if you need to clean the dew from the
window. Additionally, make sure you check your car’s tyres, wipers and brakes before you start driving.
Prepare an emergency kit
Emergencies always come without a warning. That’s why, if you cannot predict them, you have to be prepared for them. But how?
A good idea would be to keep an emergency kit handy.
Here is what you can add to the emergency kit:
- Umbrella and raincoats
- Mosquito repellent creams
- Thermometer
- First-aid bandages and cotton swabs
- Battery-backed emergency light
- Extra set of clothes, socks and shoes
Wear comfortable footwear
This goes without saying that the roads and markets are slippery during monsoons, stumbling, slipping and falling is the last thing you would want to happen to you.
Hence, you must consider wearing comfortable footwear. Refrain from wearing heels. Instead, choose shoes, crocs, flip-flops or gumboots.
Closing thoughts
The monsoon season brings with it a mix of joy and challenges. While the rain showers offer respite from the scorching heat, they also pose health risks that require our attention. By adopting a few simple measures, we can ensure our safety and well-being during this rainy season.
