Staying Safe Kadooment Day

When we are in the midst of our Kadooment Day fun and frolic, the furthest thing from our minds is health and safety. That is why it is important to consider these elements and take steps to ensure that we are as safe and healthy as possible before we even make that journey to the stadium to start the street party.

She's having a fun and safe Kadooment. (Photo courtesy lee.sabrina23)

With this in mind, Kurama Magazine presents the following tips and suggestions for us to be proactive in our health and safety during the upcoming Crop Over Festival*.

1. Think sun – The sun, while being a great draw for the tourists that visit our shores, can have detrimental effects if we don’t protect ourselves against the ravages of its assault. Therefore, to protect against skin cancer (and yes black people get skin cancer too) apply SPF-30 sunscreen throughout the day to protect against the sun's harmful UV rays. In addition, continue to rehydrate yourselves by drinking adequate amounts of water throughout the day.

2. Think exertion – This fun and frolic will cause you to exert a lot of energy and will have an effect on your body so make sure that, before and during the day, your diet gives you the energy and strength to last through the party without you passing out or dropping out. Think carbohydrates and protein to build muscle strength and energise your body.

3. Think Dress – Some of us wear shoes that are not built for the trek on Kadooment Day. Therefore, when the day is done and for some time later we tend to experience pain in our feet and even our backs because we partied in the wrong shoes or no shoes at all. This is not the correct approach. You may want to consider getting a solid pair of sneakers or walking shoes, ensuring that we are physically balanced as we take our party on the road. Ladies, high heels are a no-no!

4. Think company – The best way to ensure that we are safe from danger of untoward human elements is to party with a group of trusted friends. While the road party is a great fun way to release stress and just enjoy yourselves, some people may try to rob or harm you in some way. Don’t party with expensive jewellery or a lot of money that may attract these criminals but travel with enough money to get drinks to keep hydrated, food and transportation home. But again, we stress the importance of partying with friends and associates which reduces the chances of you being targeted by criminal elements.

5. Think clarity – As previously stated we want to remain hydrated during the day to ensure that our body replaces the liquids that will be lost when we sweat due to our exertion and the sun. Excessive alcohol consumption speeds up dehydration but also causes us to lose clarity in our thinking and take more risks that will put our health and safety and even our lives at stake. Therefore, keep the alcohol levels down as much as possible. This way you get to savour and remember the day, hydrated and safely.

I cannot stress enough the importance of considering these health and safety conditions before Crop Over comes around because in the midst of the party that is not going to be your first priority.

*Crop Over: The most anticipated festival in Barbados, which was founded to celebrate the end of the sugar cane harvest. It begins in June and comes to a climax with Grand Kadooment on the first Monday of August. Kadooment is a massive carnival parade with revellers dressed in vibrant, eye-catching costumes. Crop Over comprises of other exciting main events including Bridgetown Market, the calypso competitions Pic-o-de Crop and Party Monarch, and the variety show Cohobblopot.