Across Jamaica, the celebrations continue. Families are gathering, communities are hosting events, and thousands of Jamaicans are enjoying everything that comes with Emancipation and Independence — a concert, a cookout, a beach lime, a family gathering, one of the many community events taking place across the island.

This is a time we all look forward to, although it is also one of the hottest periods of the year.

Every year I see Jamaicans making the most of this season. Children run around with friends; families under tents sharing a meal, and people dancing for hours at an event or spending the whole day at the beach. Those are the moments that make this time of year special, but my concern is simple: In heat like this, a good day can become a medical emergency faster than most people expect.

The Ministry of Health and Wellness has been reminding the public that dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are real risks during periods of extreme heat. Older adults, young children, pregnant women, people living with chronic illnesses, and those who work outdoors are especially vulnerable, but over a long day in the sun, the heat can affect any of us.

I am certainly not encouraging anyone to stay home. These holidays are about family, community, and national pride, and I want every Jamaican to enjoy them and get home safely. But, frankly speaking, we cannot allow the heat to steal the celebration and protecting yourself does not require anything complicated.

Start with water. If you know you will be outdoors for several hours, drink water before you leave home, carry a bottle with you, and keep drinking throughout the day. Do not wait until you feel thirsty. By then your body may already be dehydrated.

Many of our celebrations also include alcohol. But alcohol causes the body to lose fluids more quickly, and sugary drinks are no substitute for water. If you choose to drink, make water part of the plan. A bottle of water between drinks is a simple habit that can make a real difference.

If you are hosting an event this holiday period, think beyond the entertainment. Make drinking water easily accessible, and encourage patrons to stay hydrated. Small steps like these can help ensure that people leave with good memories rather than a trip to the hospital.

Dress for the conditions: Light, loose-fitting clothing, and if you expect to be in direct sunlight, a hat or cap and sunscreen. Take every opportunity to find some shade. Even a few minutes out of the sun can help your body recover.

Then, know when your body is telling you something is wrong. Dizziness, headaches, nausea, muscle cramps, and unusual tiredness are warning signs that should not be ignored. Move to a cool place, drink water, and seek medical attention if you are not improving. Confusion is different. If people out in the heat become confused or disoriented, stop sweating, or lose consciousness, do not wait to see whether it passes. Get them into the shade, start cooling them with whatever water you have, and call for help immediately.

As we celebrate, let us also look after each other. Check on an elderly neighbour or relative. Encourage children to drink water while they play. If someone you are with starts feeling unwell, take it seriously.

I also want to recognise the many Jamaicans who will be working throughout this holiday period — health-care workers, members of the security forces, construction workers, farmers, vendors, sanitation workers and many others who will continue to serve the country while the rest of us celebrate. Employers have a role to play here as well. Where work must continue outdoors, make sure water is readily available, provide opportunities for workers to rest in the shade and, where possible, schedule the most demanding tasks outside the hottest part of the day. Looking after workers during periods of extreme heat is simply good practice.

One final reminder, and it bears repeating every year: Never leave a child, an older adult, or a pet inside a parked motor vehicle, even for a few minutes. Temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly and become life-threatening.

Periods of extreme heat are becoming more common, and we must adjust how we live, work, and celebrate when temperatures reach these levels. Looking after ourselves in these conditions should become second nature.

Emancipation and Independence remind us of the sacrifices made by those who came before us. They also remind us that one of our greatest strengths has always been the way we look after one another. So, enjoy the music and the food; enjoy the company of family and friends. Celebrate everything that makes us proud to be Jamaican. But, stay hydrated, protect yourself from the sun, and look out for those around you.

Do not let the heat steal the celebration.

Dr Christopher Tufton is Jamaica’s Minister of Health and Wellness. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or cctufton@gmail.com.