The earth has seasons and times, and this is something that has remained constant and will likely continue to be the same. Though we have variations with the length of a season as a result of climatic change usually caused by various reasons. Some of these reasons include environmental factors, physical factors, and also geologic factors.
We have various types of seasons all over the globe, which depends on the location of the place on the globe. How close a place to the equator is, will determine the type of seasons that can be found there.
The types of seasons that we have in the temperate region are – Winter, Autumn, Spring, Summer, and in the tropical regionsm, we have Wet and Dry Season.
The wet season which is also known as the Rainy Season is a period when rainfalls. The first rainy season in Nigeria starts from March and lasts to the end of July, with a lot of rainfall in June.
In this article, you will be learning how to stay safe during this season to avoid loss of life and property.
Safety Tips During the Rainy Season
1. Get yourself a rain gear: Get an umbrella or wear a hooded raincoat, to prevent being drenched by the rain. Rain boots are also necessary to help you wade through the flood. The boots will also help walk through mud and would again protect you from slipping and falling.
2. Hot Bath: Take a hot bath if you are drenched by the rain. This will prevent you from catching a cold, which could come as a result of the rain drying on your body.
3. Avoid the rain: When you see that the rain is becoming heavier, it is best you stay under a shade that has a good structure. Avoid weak structures at all cost as they could break off and fall on you. Plan effectively to be out of an area that you know will be flooded once you see the clouds gatherings. As walking in floods could be dangerous since you could fall into a ditch or gutter.
4. Avoid Lightning and Thunder: Do not stay close to metal structures as these could conduct electricity from the lightening. Do not be found in the swimming pool as this is also dangerous. That’s not all; you should as well avoid staying near electric poles during thunderstorms as they could get one electrocuted.
5. Close all pen containers: Close all the open containers near you as this could be a place for mosquitoes to breed, which will lead to malaria. If you can’t close them, then turn them upside down or take them to a place where the rain won’t be able to fall into them.
6. Do not go barefooted: Wear rain boots when walking through the flood to avoid getting infected with a bacterial infection that could be carried by the flood from animal urine and feces.
7. Drink clean sources of water: Be careful of the drinks you buy from shops, especially those that are prepared from water in people’s home or on the street as some of them may be contaminated. Waterborne diseases are more rampant during the rainy season.
8. Wash your hands: Keep your hands clean because of the flu virus, which is rampant during rainy seasons as this will help you reduce your chances of being infected.
9. Get weather report: Check weather report to know when it will rain and the magnitude of rain that would fall. This will help you know how to move around.
10. Sweaters or thick clothing: Children and even adults are bound to get cold if their body is exposed to the cold. Therefore, be sure to cover yourself and the kids with clothes that will keep them warm.
11. Fire fighting equipment: Keep equipment that would be used to fight a fire, if a thunderstorm or lightning causes an outbreak of fire. You would be able to manage the fire or even stop it on time.
12: Emergency No: write the emergency number and paste it where everyone can see. This will be needful in times of emergency.
13. Keep flashlights or rechargeable lamps or any other source of power at home to give you light, if there is a power outage.
14. Keep your surroundings clean: During the rainy season, stagnant water can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which can cause diseases such as dengue and malaria. Keep your surroundings clean and dry to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes.
15. Watch out for slippery surfaces: Rain can make surfaces slippery, so be careful when walking on wet surfaces. Wear shoes with good traction and be mindful of your step.
Driving safely during the rainy season
1. Ensure that your headlights are always on when driving in the rain. This will enable your car to be detected easily by other drivers or pedestrians. And it will help you to see clearly since rain limits visibility.
2. Ensure that your windscreen wiper is working effectively.
3. Ensure that the treads of your tires have enough depth as they could skid off the wet pavement, and your car brakes are functioning effectively.
4. Slow down to avoid hydroplaning, and a situation where your car tire loses contact with the ground. Speed as low as 35 miles per hour can cause your car to lose contact with the ground.
5. Do not ram your brakes if you notice that you are hydroplaning, just keep steering your car in the direction you want it to go.
6. Ensure your car is in good condition as any slight malfunction might cause you to be under the rain looking for help. And you might not get help quickly if you are on a lonely road.
7. Avoid driving through flooded areas: Do not drive through flooded areas, as it can be difficult to judge the depth of the water and the strength of the current. If you must drive through a flooded area, proceed slowly and cautiously, and avoid driving through water that is deeper than the bottom of your car doors.
Bottom Line
These essential safety tips during rainy season will ensure that you stay safe and healthy during showers. Make sure you adhere to them to avoid hazards during a rainfall.
