Author: Demo1

December is not just about the holidays and eating too much, it is also the month for setting the groundwork for healthy and, perhaps, lifesaving, New Year’s resolutions. Appropriately, December is also International AIDS Awareness Month, a month when we remember, honour and continue to fight one of the gravest health epidemics of the modern world.

While great strides have been made in AIDS treatment thanks to massive research efforts, which have reduced overall transmission rates. Unfortunately, for young adults, HIV/AIDS still remains one of the most serious health threats. This group is experiencing the fastest rising rates of HIV infection in comparison to any other age group. 

New data from the Centres for Disease Control (CDC), indicates that AIDS transmission is on the rise among adults ages 25 to 29. As treatments have greatly improved, erasing the automatic death sentence stamp that was previously given to newly diagnosed individuals back in the 1980s and 1990s, awareness and preventive measures have consequently lagged.

In this month, we as Super Tyres wear our red ribbons in solidarity with those who are battling against this disease, in the hopes that bringing more awareness will help end the stigma that comes with HIV/Aids. 

In November, Super Tyres took mum Ntokozo Christmas shopping for herself and 6 of her children from LIV Village. 

They had an amazing time running around Gateway Mall. Each child got 2 new outfits, and mum Ntokozo treated herself to new bedding. After their shopping spree, Super Tyres treated them to a delicious meal. 

Well done, superheroes! 

If you’ve been on a family road trip, you know how tough it is to keep children entertained on the road. The relentless ‘are we there yet?” questions could test the most fun-loving parents. Kids love to think outside the box, and confining them to a car for hours can really test their patience and yours.

Here are 4 methods that can help you ensure the next road trip is a fun experience for every member of the family.

• Create an art kit

Most children love to draw and be creative, so anything that involves colour pencils and paper is huge winner. To create this kit, you just need a DVD cover, cut a piece of paper to fit into the left side of the case. On the right side of the case, you can place all the colouring equipment with a rubber band.

• Hourly gifts and treats

Wrapping up gifts to give by the hour helps entertain them, and gives them something to look forward to by the hour. You can also use it as a time indicator. For instance, if you have five gifts, this helps them estimate the length of the trip without having to explain too often. This can also make a beautiful visual story for your road trip snaps. Examples of cost-effective gifts include: little toys, action figures, comic books, a chocolate bar or a cheap barbie doll, etc.

• A car charger and games

Tablets loaded with your kids’ favourite games is guaranteed to keep your kids entertained. You can also keep it educational with e-books. The great thing is that most apps can now be used offline if data is a huge concern. Don’t forget your car charger!

• Comfort goes a long way

It’s important to note that infants must be placed in a safe car seat. Having a parent or an older sibling next to the baby is a good idea because sometimes having someone to look at is enough to avoid restlessness. Make sure there are sun screens for the windows and lots of liquid to keep them hydrated. Food packed neatly in a cooler box will make sure food isn’t a dull experience. You could even ask them to draw up their own menu, to avoid complaints.

Don’t forget to make the holidays a special treat for your loved ones. Happy travelling!

An emergency car kit is one of those things we don’t think about until it’s too late. Whether it’s a break down in a dark and dingy spot with no cell phone reception, or going on a road trip and someone sustains minor injuries – it’s a good thing to always be prepared.

Having free road assistance is not an excuse to gear down on the safety. The great thing about making your own first aid kit is that you can customise it to fit into your family. You should always have a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, jumper cables, torch, extra batteries, a multi -purpose utility tool, a tyre gauge, and gloves on hand, just in case.

Today we focus on creating the perfect first aid kit for your family, you will want to add medication specific to your family’s needs, here are items will you need for your kit:

The Items

3 small and one medium-sized water-resistant container

A CPR mouth piece
Eyedrops
Hydrogen peroxide
Bandages
Gauze (assorted)
Medical tape
Adhesive bandages (assorted)
Disinfecting wipes
Hand sanitiser

Thermometer
Antibacterial wipes
Bug bite itch relief stick

Medical gloves
Tissues
Trash bags
Heat and/or ice pack

Labels

1 pair of small, child-safe scissors – metal

Medication (assorted)

Triple Antibiotic Ointment

Anti-septic solution

Sunblock

Anti-diarrheal medication

Getting it Together

The organisation is an important part of your first aid kit; everything needs to be easily accessible. The 3 small containers will help compartmentalise the bandages, gauze, and medication. This also saves space in the kit.

When you are done packing the small stuff in the various containers, label each container and include the day you stocked the stuff.  Labelling the stock date will make it easier to rotate anything that is running low or has expired. Add the small containers into a medium-sized container and put it in your boot in case of emergency. If you are unsure about medication, contact ER24 and ask for medical advice or the pharmacy. It is also wise to pack a safety blanket and a 5-litre water container if you have space in your boot. 

Safe travels!