Tag: dangers

Motorists warned against tired driving over Christmas

Road accidents see a spike in the run-up to Christmas, and while this can be due to increased traffic volume, driver fatigue also has a big part to play as it’s estimated that 10 to 20% of crashes happen because of tired driving. 

Christmas is a busy time and the stress from frequent holiday gatherings, Christmas shopping and planning can cause a lot of people to feel exhausted and sleep deprived. 

It’s important for drivers to make sure they’re well rested before getting behind the wheel, as they’re twice as likely to crash if they’ve had five to six hours of sleep compared to the recommended eight hours. 

Drivers are also told to plan regular rest breaks for longer journeys, taking a break for at least 15 minutes every two hours.

Tired drivers are most likely to crash on monotonous roads such as motorways because of the lack of driver stimulation, potentially leading to microsleeping behind the wheel. 

Microsleeping happens when tired drivers nod off for up to 30 seconds and data has revealed one in three Brits have experienced it. 

Eating can also exacerbate fatigue and drowsiness, so it’s best to let the food settle for a few hours after eating a big Christmas meal at a holiday gathering.

Cat Wiltshire from Online-Bedrooms.co.uk said: “While fatigued driving is a danger throughout the whole year, the risks are further increased during the Christmas season, as many people struggle with festive burnout. 

“Many of us feel exhausted in the run-up to Christmas as it’s a high-intensity period filled with office parties, holiday gatherings, endless Christmas shopping trips and lots of travelling to ensure you’re spending time with all your loved ones. 

“The roads are a lot busier around the holiday season which already increases the risk of collisions, and adding fatigue to the mix makes the situation far more dangerous. 

“Before driving home for Christmas, it’s crucial to ensure you get enough sleep the night before, especially if you’re planning to head out early to avoid traffic. 

“Even going to bed an hour or two earlier before a long car journey can make a big difference, as those getting five to six hours of sleep are twice as likely to crash compared to seven to eight hours. 

“Taking regular breaks is also important, especially if you’re driving for more than two hours. Even if your journey is shorter, make sure to look out for signs of fatigue such as excessive yawning and heavy eyelids.”

Expert warns of the dangers of using old antibiotics

A health expert has issued a warning to people not to save unused antibiotics at home to take later at their own discretion – as this risks more harm than good.

As concerns over antibiotic resistant infections grow, an expert from Healthcare Improvement Scotland has urged people to avoid using antibiotics they may have saved up at home, as their overuse presents a serious threat to the future of healthcare.

Professor Andrew Seaton, Chair of the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group (SAPG), part of Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said: “We know that many people have antibiotics at home which they or another family member have been previously prescribed and there can be a temptation, when feeling unwell, to use them.

“However, it’s quite likely, at times when chest and throat infections are common, that infection will be caused by one of the many circulating viruses rather than by an infection that requires an antibiotic.

“Antibiotics will not speed up recovery from a viral illness and they may cause unwanted effects including stomach upset. Critically, future infections may be more difficult to treat because overuse of antibiotics drives the development of antibiotic resistance.”

Using antibiotics that have been lying around the house for a while means they may also have expired. Once the expiration date of a medicine has passed there’s no guarantee that it will be either safe or effective.

 A survey of 2000 people in 2022 found that one in three people said they had taken expired medicines and almost a third of these said they had taken medicines that were not meant for them.

The most common reason for an antibiotic prescription is for respiratory tract infections eg infections of the throat, ear or chest.

Professor Seaton, an infectious diseases consultant in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, explained: “Although we are making progress in getting across the importance of not overusing antibiotics, we know that the pandemic has had a significant impact on our healthcare system including the way in which people access healthcare advice.

“We think this has at least contributed to an increase in the use of antibiotics. Work is still needed to protect our population from the very real threat of antibiotic resistant infections and to help preserve our precious antibiotics for future generations as well as for those who need them most now.”

Professor Seaton has also highlighted the importance of safe disposal of unused medicines. He said: “Antibiotics don’t only act on germs inside of us, but also act on the many germs living in soil and water and we know that antibiotic resistance in the environment has important consequences for plant, animal and human health.

“It’s essential therefore that we avoid environmental contamination by not disposing of antibiotics in household waste for landfill or flush them down the toilet. Safe disposal of unused antibiotics will reduce the environmental impact and help protect our planet.”

Global analysis of more than 200 countries in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, estimated that infections due to antibiotic resistance are now a leading cause of death worldwide, higher even than HIV/AIDS or malaria.

More than one million deaths are estimated to occur annually as a direct result of antibiotic resistant infections due to common, previously treatable infections such as pneumonia and bloodstream infections.

In a bid to encourage people to safely dispose of unused antibiotics, pharmacies throughout Scotland are offering an ‘amnesty’ where people can return medicines to them to be safely disposed of.

Professor Seaton said: “For the majority of people who are feeling unwell with a cough, cold or sore throat, symptoms will settle with simple measures including rest, increasing fluid intake and careful use of pain killers like paracetamol.“

There is a useful check list which people can go through on the NHS 24 website to decide if further advice is needed Cough | NHS 24 .

Professor Seaton added: “For people with known serious underlying health conditions or for those where symptoms are not settling within a few days or are worsening it is advisable to take advice from NHS 24, their pharmacist or GP.”

Go to a public firework display if possible, say RoSPA

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is advising that the safest place to enjoy fireworks is at a professionally-organised public display as fewer people are injured here than at private gatherings.

Ashley Martin, RoSPA’s public health adviser, said: “We see hundreds of firework-related injuries every year, and they literally change lives, with people receiving scarring that requires lifelong treatment.”

 “If there are organised displays available in your area we’d encourage members of the public to attend, as these will be put on by those trained in the use of fireworks, and will ensure that you and your family are safer.

However, as we head towards Bonfire Night and Diwali, we face the possibility that many public firework displays may not go ahead, whether it’s down to COVID-19, reduced stocks, or a change in safety labelling.

Ashley continued “If you are attending a private event, or putting on your own display, we’d urge you to adhere to the Firework Code, and make sure you are buying any fireworks only from reputable retailers. Please be aware that rules around the use of fireworks can vary depending on which part of the UK you live in.

“Check that the firework box carries a CE or UKCA mark, make sure you’re only buying category 2 and category 3 fireworks, and before using please check the distance requirements on the instructions.”

Thinking of holding a fireworks party?

Follow the Firework Code:

  • Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable, and check the time that you can legally set off fireworks
  • Only buy fireworks which carry the CE or UKCA mark, keep them in a closed box and use them one at a time
  • Read and follow the instructions on each firework, using a torch if necessary
  • Light the firework at arm’s length with a taper and stand well back
  • Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks
  • Never return to a firework once it has been lit
  • Don’t put fireworks in pockets and never throw them
  • Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators
  • Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire
  • Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.

For more information head here:  www.rospa.com/fireworks