Lagos residents warned to reduce exposure to sun or risk illness

Due to the high temperature being experienced all over the country in the past few weeks, the Lagos State Government has advised residents to reduce the amount of time they spend in the sun in order to prevent illnesses.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who gave the advice in a statement released on Saturday, 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.

According to Idris, children and the elderly are the most vulnerable, adding it is advisable to drink plenty water and avoid drinks containing alcohol and caffeine.

He also advised residents to wear loose-fitting and light-coloured clothing that cover as much of their skin as possible when going outside.

Other protective measures against the heat, the commissioner said, include using protective accessories 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.

Idris also 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 clothes and fan him or herself.

Other actions that could be taken by the victim, he said, include, drinking cool water that has salt and sugar as part of its ingredients; adding that if there was no improvement, the victim should call the 767 or 112 toll-free line or report at the nearest health facility.