March to May is vacation time and fiesta season in the country. To avoid food poisoning, diarrhea, heat-associated ailments and recreation-associated injuries, the public is advised to take the following precautions.

Food and drinks

· Cook food properly.
· Preferably, foods must be eaten immediately after cooking (while still hot).
· Left-over food should be refrigerated and reheated before being eaten.
· Food handlers should wash their hands before and after food preparation.
· If sick, you should avoid preparing food for others.
· Avoid drinking water and iced beverages of doubtful quality.
· If water quality is doubtful, boil your drinking water for at least 2 minutes.
· Peel and wash fruits / vegetables before eating.
· Wash hands before and after eating.

At the beach

· Do not allow children to swim without the company of an adult who can swim and is not drunk.
· Avoid staying under the sun with scanty clothes for more than 3 hours as this predisposes to sunburn, heat exhaustion and the worst, heat stroke.
· Should you want a tan, drink plenty of fluids so as not to dehydrate yourself.

While on the road

· Check your vehicle very well before going on a trip.
· Bring your repair kit with you.
· When drunk, never attempt to drive.