HARMATTAN SEASON TIPS

The cold weather and the heavy amount of foggy dust in the air that can limit visibility and block the sun for several days, comparable to a heavy fog shows that the harmattan is here again.
Harmattan is a dry and dusty West African trade wind. It blows south from the Sahara into the Gulf of Guinea between the end of November and the middle of March. In most cases, humidity drops to as low as 15 per cent Celsius.
As a result of the dusty air, people who are asthmatic can have more attacks. There is also high rate of upper respiratory tract infections among people whereby people will be coughing, sneezing because of the dust. As much as possible, those who have air conditions can use them, but they must ensure they close their windows so that they are not exposed to dust.


Children and the elderly were vulnerable at this period and so parents and guardians should ensure their safety. “Harmattan affects children and old people. Parents and care givers should ensure they keep them indoors and make sure they are not exposed to dust.
Health officials advice that due to the a lot of dust in the air, it was imperative for food and fruit vendors to imbibe healthy food preservation culture to prevent food-borne diseases.
The fruit and vegetables should be properly washed before eating; drinking water containers should be properly covered to avoid contamination. Above all, environmental sanitation exercise by people should be encouraged.
How do we protect our children during this harmattan weather?
Here are some tips that should help.

• Bathe them with warm water. This protects against direct cold, and many children seem to love it! Some mothers dissolve Mentholatum in the bath water.
• You may also apply a little Vaseline on the lips
• Always moisturise their bodies. You don’t want them ending up with white dry skin.
• Teach them to “rub their palms together and on their cheeks.  For the girls, please ensure that their hair is made. This is not the time to flaunt the length of hair, it is the time to ensure that it is secure in plaits, it is also time to ensure that it is well moisturised.
• Honey is very useful when it comes to broken lips. Apply it to the broken lips and leave it there. Good it is sweet, trust the children will come for more
• You can also use shea butter. Avoid using lip balms meant for adults as much as you can. Children can end up swallowing them.