Did You Know?: Summer Water Safety

Canadian Red Cross, leader in drowning research, swimming and water safety, is deeply concerned about the number of drowning and near-drowning incidents this summer and is strongly urging Canadians to make safety a priority. Drowning deaths are preventable. The Canadian Red Cross encourages people to keep the following tips in mind to ensure being around the water is not only fun but safe as well.

How to avoid water-related injuries:

• Regardless of the location, ensure children are supervised; whether at home or on vacation. Adult supervision is the best protection for children – even for those who can swim.
• Ensure that your backyard pool is fully fenced with a self-closing, self-latching gate.
• When not using your home pool, clear all toys out of the water and away from the edge.  These can often tempt children to the water’s edge.
• Ensure you have emergency equipment including a first aid kit and a phone in the immediate pool area.
• When boating, ensure everyone in the boat has their lifejacket on and fastened.
• Don’t consume alcohol before or during swimming or boating activities.
• Be cautious about swimming in currents, and know what to do if you get into trouble.
• Get trained through swimming and water safety lessons; get your Pleasure Craft Operator Card if you operate a boat; know how to respond in an emergency by taking first aid lessons.

 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.

Did You Know?: What to do in an Earthquake

Full building collapses due to earthquakes are less common in North America than some areas because of stringent building codes and construction standards. Risks are more likely to be non-structural, such as items falling from shelves, bookcases or wall hooks, or non-structural damage like shattering glass, dislodged bricks or sheathing or toppled signage. Any of these can result in serious injury or death but there are simple steps you can take to reduce the risks.

If you are indoors: Stay inside and move as little as possible,  Stay away from windows, doors, bookcases, shelves, furniture, lights or other fixtures that could fall,  Drop, cover, and hold. Shelter under a sturdy table, desk or bed; Hold on and move with it, If there is no sturdy furniture nearby, crouch in a corner and shield your head and neck, Stay indoors until the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to exit, When leaving a building check that stairs are intact and debris is not falling outside, Use stairs, not elevators, in case there are aftershocks, power outages or other damage

If you are outdoors: Move to an open space, Stay away from buildings due to potential for falling glass and other debris. Do not stand near or under trees or any structures that could collapse or topple, Keep clear of downed electrical wires, overhead utility cables, and natural gas or propane tanks or valves, check your home for structural damage and hazards. If you suspect it is unsafe, do not enter

If you are in the car: Stop the car and stay in it, Keep away from bridges, overpasses, underpasses or any structure that could collapse on your vehicle, Obey all instructions given by public authorities.

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.

Did You Know?: Summer Heat Safety

Most of Ontario is experiencing its first heat wave of the year and the Canadian Red Cross is encouraging residents to stay safe whether it’s in the warm sun or cooling off in the water.

Many groups are vulnerable to the heat, including the elderly, young children, and those who work, exercise and live outdoors. A few hours in the high temperatures can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion or heat stroke. For those who do not have air conditioning, the Red Cross recommends going to a local shopping mall or library to take a break from the heat.

The Canadian Red Cross also has the following tips to help individuals stay safe during extreme heat:

Avoid being outdoors in the hottest part of the day.  If you must go out, try to do so in the early morning or later evening hours when the sun is not as strong, work and exercise in brief periods, take frequent breaks, dress in light, loose clothing, wear a hat and drink plenty of cool fluids, but avoid caffeine and alcohol.

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.

Did You Know?: Lifejackets

Canadian Red Cross drowning research shows that almost all boaters who drown were not wearing a lifejacket or not wearing it properly.

People offer many excuses for not wearing lifejackets such as “it’s too nice out”, “I’m close to shore,” and “I’m a good swimmer.” Strong swimming skills are not enough.  Like your car seatbelt, your lifejacket will only work if you wear it.

Every year, almost 200 Canadians drown while boating. Of these, nearly 90 per cent, are not wearing a lifejacket, or do not have it properly secured. The Canadian Red Cross encourages all boaters, at all skill levels, and in all kinds of watercrafts, to drop the excuses.  Make sure that everyone in the family is zipped and clipped into their lifejacket before you step foot in a boat. 

Lifejackets have come a long way in recent years.  Today’s lifejackets are comfortable and stylish, and are even designed for specific activities including water skiing, fishing, kayaking and rafting.

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.

Did You Know?: Workplace First Aid Kits

WSIB regulation 1101 lists the items that must be included in the first aid boxes in workplaces of different sizes and types. The quantities of any item specified may be increased to suit the needs of a particular workplace. Personal protective equipment (for example a masks and gloves) as specified by your first aid training should also be included in the first aid box. Equipment outside the scope of first aiders, equipment that may deteriorate or that is potentially dangerous (for example medication and ointments) should not be included in the first aid box. The regulations also require that the boxes and their contents be checked regularly, minimum four times per year, to ensure that everything is in good order.

A copy of regulation 1101 can be obtained electronically at:

http://www.wsib.on.ca/wsib/wsibsite.nsf/LookupFiles/DownloadableFileRegulation1101/$File/FAEng.pdf

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.

Did You Know?: Car Seats and Booster Seats

Car seats and booster seats are essential for the safety of children and youth and are required by law in Ontario. The best information can be found at the Ontario Ministry of Transportation website. The following information is summarized from their website.

Infants from birth to 9kg (20lb) must in a rear facing seat and away from an active airbag. Toddlers from 9 to 18kg (20 – 40 lb) must be in a forward facing seat and a tether strap must be used to secure the seat. Booster seats are required for children under the age of eight, weighing 18 kg or more but less than 36 kg (40-80 lb.) and who stand less than 145 cm (4 feet-9 inches) tall. Children under 13 years of age are safest in the back seat. Never put two children in the same seatbelt or place the shoulder strap behind the child's back.

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.

To Help or Not to Help

Many people say that they do not want to provide first aid to someone in need because they believe that only those trained in first aid can help others. While it is recommended that everyone receive first aid training, if a person’s life is in danger any assistance is better than none. As long as the assistance is offered voluntarily and the first aider is not trying to wilfully hurt the other person Ontario’s Good Samaritan Act is designed to protect the first aider. Even the use of an Automated External Defibrillator is now covered under Ontario’s Good Samaritan Act. So someone with no previous training could take a unit of the wall and use it and they are protected by the law. In fact this simple act has saved many lives.

So what should you do? Ideally find a recognized first aid course and get yourself trained but even if an incident should happen before you get trained go ahead and help. You can save a life.

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.