Spring Road Safety

With the arrival of spring and the swift departure of snow, we are seeing more and more activity on our streets as the cyclists, skateboarders and rollerbladers are coming out of their hibernation. As our streets get busier the chances of collisions between vehicles and cyclists and others increase. In addition many streets still have stones and pebbles that can cause additional falls and injuries.

Injury prevention is important. Following the rules of the road for your sport will help keeping everyone safe. Everyone needs to share the road.

Wearing the appropriate gear will keep the cyclists, skateboarders and rollerbladers safe. Although in Ontario only those under 18 are required to wearing helmets they are recommended for all. Skateboarders and rollerbladers should also wear knee, wrist and elbow pads. All it takes is an instant of distraction and an injury can result.

As an Authorized Training Provider of the Canadian Red Cross, all First Aid Ottawa Standard and Emergency First Aid courses are recognized by WSIB and its Federal counterpart the Canada Labour code. Visit us online at www.FirstAidOttawa.com or at 613-225-2727.

Winter Water Safety

Every year at this time we are reminded of the dangers of thin ice on our lakes and rivers. Both vehicles and people fall through ice that only days before could support them. Should you fall through thin remember the following: Remain calm (although this can sometimes be the hardest step), if possible remove heavy clothing that may pull you under, move to the side closest to land and kick your legs while you pull yourself up. If the ice continues to break keep kicking since you are still making progress. Once you are on the ice stay low and crawl off the ice. Remember that hypothermia (the lowering of the body temperature) occurs quicker if you are wet. Seek warmth as soon as possible and do not go back on the ice to retrieve anything.

If you see someone fall through the ice, first call 911 and they try and throw something to them and pull them out of the water. Only go the ice if absolutely necessary and then stay low so your weight is distributed over the ice. Remember that the ice closest to the hole will be fragile. Once the person is out of the water on land they need to re-warmed immediately. Get them inside, into dry clothes and near a heat source quickly.

As an Authorized Training Provider of the Canadian Red Cross, all First Aid Ottawa Standard and Emergency First Aid courses are recognized by WSIB and its Federal counterpart the Canada Labour code. Visit us online at www.FirstAidOttawa.com or at 613-225-2727.