DOH exec's health tips for Undas: Visit early, bring an umbrella, keep your food fresh

Published October 30, 2013 11:07pm

Visit the cemeteries early if possible, bring an umbrella, and take measures to prevent food from spoiling.

These were the health tips given by National Epidemiology Center director Dr. Enrique Tayag as Filipinos flock to cemeteries to remember their dearly departed.

"Visit early to avoid crowds. Do not bring very small children or babies. Accompany older persons," Tayag said on his Twitter account, using the hashtag #undashealthtips.

He also advised the public to bring umbrellas regardless of whether it rains or is hot, and to wear comfortable clothes. "Stay home if you are sick," he added.

Tayag also advised Filipinos to be careful with candles when at the cemetery as they can cause burns.

He also said children should be kept safe, while the public should check for wounds or bites that need immediate care.

On the other hand, he discouraged people from using blaring sound systems - even when using headphones, saying loud noise can damage ears.

"Don't sit or kneel (for) too long. Stretch your body. Only bursts of laughter allowed. Cry if you must And PRAY for our departed," he added.

If in a crowd, Tayag said people should cover their nose or mouth when sneezing or coughing, lest other people catch flu or pneumonia.

Tayag also advised those bringing food to the cemeteries to bring only what they can consume within four hours because spoiled food "can make you sick."

"Remember to keep warm food warm and cold food cold. Drink 8 to 12 glasses of water every day," he said.

He also advised them to "know where to pee," and to bring sanitizers.

He also told people to stay away from flooded or muddy areas-- or, if they can't avoid going, to wear protective footwear-- to avoid the risk getting leptospirosis.

People should also protect themselves against day-biting mosquitoes, Tayag said. "Use repellants - you don't want to get dengue or chikungunya."

He added people should be prepared for emergencies during the long weekend. "Know where to get first aid. List emergency numbers. Take your medicines with you."

The EcoWaste Coalition also issued its own tips, after holding a parade at the North Cemetery in Manila to remind the public to keep All Saints' Day garbage-free.

The tips include:

Choose clean-burning, lead-free candles that do not emit black fumes or soot. Light a limited number of candles to reduce heat and pollution. Do not let candles’ plastic receptacles or holders burn.
Offer local fresh flowers, not plastic ones, or consider bringing potted plants and flowers instead.
Bring your own water jug to avoid buying bottled water.
Buy less food and beverages.
Cut your waste size by buying products with the least packaging and by avoiding single-use plastics.
Don’t litter, dump or burn trash in the cemetery.
Put discards into recycling bins if available, or place them in your reusable bags and bring them home for sorting, reusing, recycling or composting.
Go for waste-free meals.
Relieve yourself only in restrooms and designated areas.
Do not smoke at the cemetery. Be considerate to the children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with respiratory and heart ailments.

“We must celebrate this occasion with simplicity, spirituality and utter respect for both the dead and the living by keeping the cemeteries waste-free, toxics-free and trouble-free,” EcoWaste Coalition campaigner Tin Vergara said. — JDS, GMA News

Tags: undas2013, departmentofhealth