Lyle Karasiuk

All medicines, whether prescription or purchased over-the-counter, are dangerous if used improperly. They can be potentially poisonous to people of all ages. Yet many of us leave medications unsecured; treat medication as ‘candy’; set medications out with our meal so we don’t forget not realizing that the multi-colored pills might be picked up by a small child.

Vitamins, supplements, aspirin and many other over-the-counter remedies, as well as prescriptions medicines, should be purchased with child-resistant closures and stored securely. Here are some other best practices for handling medicine safely.

• Do not store medications, prescription or non-prescription in a location that could easily be accessed by a child. These include night stands, purses, kitchen table or easily accessed cupboard.
• Do not separate the medication from its original container. Capsules and tablets may look alike but have totally different effects. It’s not in the original container it is not safe to use.
• You can take unwanted or expired to your pharmacist for safe disposal.
• Do not take someone else’s medications.
• Complete all medications as per the instructions on the bottle or until told to discontinue it by your family doctor.
• Store medications in a cool dry location that limits exposure to light.
• If the medication is expired such as a cold medication, do not use. It is quite possibly ineffective or even dangerous.
• Personal care products, vitamins, cosmetics and general first aid supplies are also potentially dangerous in the hands of a child. Keep these stored safely.
• Follow the instructions printed on the container for all over-the-counter medications. Take one or two extra is a recipe for disaster.
• Read warning labels that state things like “May cause drowsiness” or “Do not combine with alcohol” as these warnings are for your safety

Clean out the cupboard, medicine cabinet or bathroom closet of any unused, outdated, and expired medications on a regular basis. Dispose of them safely by simply collecting them all to take to your local pharmacy.
We often think the “medications” are only those prescribed by your doctor but vitamins and other herbal supplements can also be hazardous. Make a point of speaking to your pharmacist about all medications both over the counter, prescription and herbal so that combinations that could possibly be bad for you can be avoided. Your pharmacist can help you make safe choices but also record this information in your health record for future reference.
As parents and care givers currently struggle to source pain and fever medications, compounding pharmacies might be an alternative for you. Visit one near you, we have some in our city that may be able to help. It’s flu season and your local pharmacy maybe able to help with flu or other vaccinations too!
Switching gears, we want to remind everyone that our wrapped up for the holidays program is underway. Please drop of blankets, winter coats and other winter gear, at our location or at our partners the Gateway Mall, CTV, and Anderson Motors. We want to keep those in need warm, safe, and dry this winter. With your support we will do just that!

It’s never fun if your vehicle lets you down, but it can be downright miserable or even dangerous if it happens on a cold winter day. Just as we’ve cleaned our windows and raked up the leaves in preparation for winter, so too should your car be winterized. Here are a few things you should know about “winterizing” your vehicle:
Winter tires: Make sure you have a good set of winter tires. They’ll improve traction, but if they are severely worn, you’ll have trouble braking, accelerating, and handling, especially on slippery roads. Many people opt for “all-season” tires. Depending on your local climate, they can be an adequate compromise for average year-round weather conditions but won’t perform as well as genuine winter tires in the worst ice and snow. Whatever you choose, buy them before winter arrives.
Exhaust system: Be sure to check the muffler and exhaust pipes for leaks and for their general condition each fall. Corrosion or perforations in the exhaust system can permit leakage of lethal carbon monoxide fumes into the passenger compartment. When there’s snow on the roads, ensure your exhaust tailpipe isn’t obstructed by it when starting the engine, and never back into snowbanks.
Tire pressure: Since traction is compromised when driving on ice or snow, the correct tire pressure is critical. Properly inflated tires ensure good contact with the road and protect the wheels from pothole damage. Your owner’s manual should list the recommended pressures.
Wipers and washer fluid: Typically, there is reduced visibility in winter due to reduced daylight, snow, and ice. In most parts of Canada, wiper blades last one year before needing replacement and sooner if damaged. If you live where there is lots of ice and snow during the winter, you should consider investing in wipers made specifically for winter.
During the winter months it is best to use windshield washer fluid made for colder temperatures to avoid further reduction in visibility. Also check your reservoir on a regular basis before heading out. Before the season starts, assemble the things you would need if stuck somewhere on a remote winter road. Include all the usual emergency things, but you should also have extra items for the longer trips.
The things you should always have in your car during winter.
Flashlight
Flares
Blankets and extra clothing
Shovel
Gloves
Booster cables
Sandbags or Traction pads
Scraper and brush
Matches and candles
First aid kit
Tow rope
Chocolate bars-they won’t spoil, and they provide food in an emergency
Tire chains kitty litter works great
Crowbar and other small hand tools
Whether it’s a short shopping trip out of town or a longer excursion, be prepared for winter emergencies and don’t wait till the snow on the ground tells us all winter is here. Taking a first aid course is a great way to learn how to be prepared and what to do in an emergency. November is CPR Month. We encourage everyone to get some training. A certified course our just the basics. Give us a call today! Statistics say that 40% of all injuries reduced by people taking a first aid course. Protect yourself, your family and fellow co-workers. Be safe!

In a few short weeks little, and even large, ghosts or goblins will be visiting your door. Halloween is that fun time when we can wear costumes, celebrating the season! But making Halloween a safe time for all little visitors is essential. Here’s what you can do:

Plan a route with your children so you know where they are always. Set a time to return home.
Children follow that route – don’t take short cuts through back alleys or unlit parks.
Children over nine should always go out as a group or have adult supervision. Younger children should always be supervised.
Children visit houses that are well lit and never go inside the house.
The temptation to dart across the street “for better treats” on the other side is great but always cross at the corner and look both ways before crossing the street.
Motorists, please slow down in residential areas and be alert for the goblins running around.
Parents it might be a good idea to sew some reflective fabric to any costume.
Children should always carry a flashlight and in case of an emergency a whistle to signal for help.
Be aware of strangers!
Pick a costume that has bright fabrics so that the child can be seen.
Avoid costumes that are long with loose sleeves, pants or skirts. Check to see that the costume is flame resistant.
Avoid carrying props such as a sword, knife or gun. It is one more thing to carry and might be mistaken for the real thing.
Make sure each goblin wears proper footwear and dresses according to the weather.
Consider face paint or make-up instead of a mask so that the child can see clearly. If the child is wearing a wig, hat or scarf make sure it is secured tightly – they can see and ear too!
If decorating your yard or house avoid pumpkins with candles instead consider a flashlight or electric light.
Pets will be excited as guests come to the door. Consider placing them in a room out of harms way.
If the weather is bad, make sure to keep steps and walkways free from debris.
Instead of trick or treaty consider a neighborhood party for the children complete with games, treats and scary videos.
Instead of giving away candy use stickers, trading cards, activity sheets, gift certificates or other creative items.
Make sure that the children do not eat any of the treats until they are examined by an adult. Throw out any unwrapped items, has torn or loose packaging or that appears to have small holes in the wrappers. Don’t let children eat homemade treats unless you know the source who provided them.

Halloween is supposed to a fun time. Don’t let an incident like a fall ruin the day. For those adults choosing to celebrate Halloween either at one of the local bars or during a house party at home, make sure you plan a safe ride home. Have a designated driver or take a taxi. Have a safe Halloween night!

Winter weather is upon us, time to get your winter snow tires, find your scraper, extra blankets and other safety gear. Get ready with mittens, toques and boots too! Don’t wait till the snow flies start getting ready now!

Once again school bells will call children back to school for another year. It is a busy time when the “dog days” of summer have passed and we set our routine to the return of school. For first time school children or those returning for another year it is time to brush up on some safety tips. We hate to be the bearer of this bad news when the weather is awesome, but school returns in a few short weeks.

Traveling to and from school is one of the most dangerous activities because children lack the supervision from the parents or teachers. In a hurry children might forget the basic rules and dart out into traffic. Motorists need to slow down through school zones and be alert for children crossing.

Motorists – School zones have a 30 km/hr speed zone marked by a florescent yellow sign. Please obey the posted speed limit for the school zone you are in Slow down and watch for children crossing.
Motorists – take a few extra minutes traveling to work if you regularly travel past a school or in a residential area. Children will be walking to and from school, excited to renew old friendships and maybe running a bit behind. Sometimes children forget the rules of the road.
Motorists – if you must use a cellular telephone while in your vehicle get a hands-free device or pull or to the side to make that important call. A moment’s inattention might be cause for a collision with a pedestrian. Such incidents are avoidable and preventable. SGI statistics say your 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash texting while driving.
Moms and dads always try and drop your child off on the school side of the street. This avoids trying to get across the very busy streets around many schools.
Children – cross only at the corner. Look both ways before walking out into the road. Make sure that you see the oncoming traffic and they can see you too! Wave to the driver of the vehicle as you cross. A big SUV still might have trouble seeing you cross. Be seen!
Children – always use cross walks and intersections that have a school patroller present. These special roadway markings ensure that you can cross safely. Always obey the instructions given by the school patroller. For areas without a school patroller or marked crosswalk, cross with care.
Children – walk on the sidewalk and ride your bike on the street in the direction of traffic. If must ride on the sidewalk, please yield to pedestrians walking. Don’t forget to wear the gear like helmets for bikes, scooters, and skateboards. Additional gear like wrist guards, knee pads or elbow pads may also be required.
Children – when playing in the playground watch for sharp objects, dangerous equipment or garbage. Report any hazards to a parent or teachers supervising the playgrounds. Never attempt to pick up sharp objects.
Children – if a ball is accidentally lost over the playground fence, STOP and LOOK BOTH WAYS before running out into the street before trying to retrieve it.
Back to school is an exciting time. Practice safety each and every day. Remember the rules of the road and obey all signs and signals. Motorists, please watch for children on bikes, skateboards scooters or on foot. Our children’s safety depends on your attention to safe operation of a motor vehicle. If back to school for you is a new job or career opportunity that might need first aid, consider taking a class with us. Give us a call at 306-953-8350 to register.

I don’t know about you, but there sure has been some wacky summer weather. From thunderstorms to tornados and hail, it’s been a summer of excitement. The potential for forest fires, flooded city streets and power outages, urge us all to be aware to fast changing conditions.

You need to:
know your home exits and the location of your fire extinguisher, water valve, electrical box, gas valve and floor drain
choose a meeting place for your family members (one close to your home and one outside of your neighbor hood in the event of an evacuation)
have a designated person to pick up your children if you are unable
have close and out-of-town contact persons
know personal health information
arrange a place for your pet to stay

Develop an emergency plan so everyone will know what to do and where to go if there is an emergency. Once you have an emergency plan, make sure everyone in your home knows it well and has access to a copy. The Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada website has an online tool to help you prepare a plan in about twenty minutes.

Your home should also have an emergency kit with all the supplies you and your family need to survive for 72 hours during or after an emergency. Store the kit in easy to carry duffle bags or backpacks, in a location that is easy to access. Make sure everyone in the household knows where it is. Do you subscribe to any alert apps like those from the Sask Alert?

Your emergency kit should contain the following basic items:
Water – at least two litres of water per person, per day
Food that won’t spoil, (canned or dried food, energy bars)
Manual can-opener
Flashlight and batteries
Candles and matches or lighter (place candles in sturdy containers and put them out before going to sleep)
Battery-powered or wind-up radio (and extra batteries)
First aid kit: Special items such as prescription medications, infant formula and equipment for people with disabilities
Babies/toddlers supplies: diapers, bottled milk, formula and food, toys, crayons and paper
Extra keys for your car and house
Cash in smaller bills ($10 bills) and chargers for cell phones
Copies of important papers (personal documents such as identification for everyone, insurance papers, deed to your property)
A copy of your emergency plan, including contact information

In the event of a disaster, emergency medical response may be delayed because of the remoteness of your home or by adverse conditions, such as roads blocked by floodwater or debris. While precious minutes slip by, your emergency training could mean the difference between life and death. Properly administered first aid or CPR can help stabilize an injured or ailing family member until help arrives. Make sure at least one family member is trained in first aid and CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator. Call Parkland Ambulance 953-8350 for upcoming courses.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The future depends on what we do in the present.” Planning and preparing today for emergencies that may occur in the future, are preventive steps that will help keep people protected and safe in their homes and in the workplace during an emergency.

Ah summer time! A chance to relax, unwind, spend time with family or friends or just catch up on some reading with a good book.

Many of us will spend a lazy afternoon fishing on the lake or towing the kids while they water ski. Boating is one of those activities that go with summer.

In Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard through their office of boating safety has brought in regulations designed to improve your safety while navigating Canadian waterways. Since 1999 these phased in regulations mean that many of us have had to obtain our pleasure craft operator’s card. If you went boating today here are the rules:

Are you born after April 1, 1983?
Do you operate a power vessel less than 4 meters in length, including personal watercraft?

If you answered yes to either of these questions before you put the boat or personal watercraft in the water today, you need to get a card or else you are operating the craft illegally and subject to penalty. Also, youth under 16 even if they have a card are not able to operate a personal watercraft aka a jet ski! So how do I get “the card?” There are many online resources available, check them out!

Today, there are two types of floatation devices. Your standard life jacket is designed to not only keep you afloat but also to turn you face up if you fall into the water. These are orange, yellow or red and have a whistle attached. The have a “keyhole” design to fit over your head. Then we have personal floatation devices (PFD) which are inherently buoyant or inflatable. PFDs are the more common devices we have on board a boat. Wear while water skiing but hopefully never use as a seat cushion. Children’s PFDs should be comfortable yet snug. Never buy a large PFD for the child to grow into. Loose, ill-fitting PFDs are dangerous.
PFDs for children can have special safety features. You may want to look for the following additional features when selecting a PFD for your child:
Large collar for head support,
Sturdy, rust-proof zipper,
Draw string,
Waist ties or elastic gathers in front and back,
Safety strap that goes between the legs to prevent the PFD from slipping over the child’s head,
Buckle on safety straps and reflective tape, attach a sound-signaling device (whistle) to your child’s PFD zipper for added safety.
Hey and don’t forget one for your pet too!
In Canada, 73% of all drownings happen because the person was not wearing a life jacket. So, what’s your excuse? We all make excuses such as they are too hot, too uncomfortable, don’t fit or the best one is in an emergency I’ll be able to put it on. There is no excuse for not wearing a PFD or life jacket. Make it a standard practice to wear it before getting into the boat till the time you arrive back on shore. Make sure everyone who boards the boat has a proper PFD or life jacket that is approved and fits them correctly. Be Responsible!
Don’t allow a person who has consumed alcohol to operate a boat.
Provide non-alcoholic beverages for boat operators and passengers.
Wear lifejackets or Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs). It’s the law to carry one that fits each person in the vessel, but Parkland Ambulance recommends wearing it every trip, for the whole trip.
If you have a backyard pool, supervise your children. Have some safety equipment near by should there be an emergency. Take precautions to protect your pool with a fence so that when you are absent from home, others don’t access the pool. While talking pools, many will head to the public beach for summer fun. Keep an eye on your children! A moment of inattention such as using your phone or reading could be tragic.
Have a safe summer! Don’t let the tragedy we hear be one that involves you or your family. Be safe around any body of water this summer!

For many of us vacation is just around the corner. Lake time, family time and just catching up around the house. While the hustle and bustle of everyday life is replaced with a more leisurely pace, we should still all be safety conscious. A moment of inattention can produce devastating results.

Children who were babies last year may be excellent climbers now and parents should keep in mind that although toddlers love to look out windows, they don’t understand the risks of falling. Parents can still enjoy having the windows open in the summer while keeping their children safe by using safety devices.  Parents can install a window guard, sold at hardware stores and some department stores, and safety specialty stores.  This forms a barrier, like security bars, but lighter weight and closely spaced.  They need to have a quick-release mechanism to allow for fire escape. A window screen is only good for keeping the bugs out it is not strong enough to hold the weight of a child.

There are different types of window safety devices that parents can use to keep their children from falling out of the window.  Parents can also install a window safety device, which stops the window from opening more than 10 centimeters (four inches).  A child cannot fall through this small space.  A wide variety of devices are available.  A simpler measure could include using screws in the window frame to prevent the window from opening more than 10 centimeters.  If parents cannot use window guards, it is important to keep furniture away from windows – as well as balcony railings – to prevent young children from climbing up and falling.

Don’t Leave Kids or Pets in Hot Cars. The inside of a car can heat up quickly to temperatures that could hurt or kill a child or family pet. The temperature inside a parked car can exceed 50°C (122°F) within 10-20 minutes on a typical sunny summer day in Canada. Within minutes, it will get so hot that a child inside the car could die. Opening the window slightly does not keep the temperature at a safe level.

Young children-especially infants-are three to five times more sensitive to heat than adults. Young children have small body sizes and do not regulate their body temperatures as quickly as adults. Rising temperatures inside a car can cause a child to suffer from heat stress, dehydration and even shock.

To keep children safe in cars this summer:
Never leave a child alone in a car-even with the windows down.
Always lock car doors and trunks and keep keys out of children’s reach. Your child or someone else’s child could get into the car and get trapped.
Ensure all children leave the car when you have reached your destination. Remember to remove sleeping infants and children in car seats.
If your car has been parked outside on a hot day, make sure the car seat and seat belts are not too hot before buckling your children in the car.
Carry plenty of water or other fluids when traveling with children to prevent them from dehydrating.
Sun screen and hats are important pieces of the summer season

Of course, life jackets and a buddy are important when out on the boat. So is the safety items like paddles, tow rope, horn and other safety gear.

Hot weather is not only hard on your vehicle but puts added stress on your body. Stay cool, take frequent rest breaks, drink plenty of fluids and try to be as comfortable as possible. To learn more about heat emergencies visit our web site at www.parklandambulance.com or take a first aid class to know what to do in a heat emergency.

With the arrival of spring, we all want to be outdoors whether that’s going for a walk, hopping on a bicycle or simply working or playing in the yard, getting some exercise is essential. With the increased activity everyone needs to be reminded to be safe and practice safety in all our activities.

The number one cause of injury in the 5-9 year old age group is pedestrian injuries. Why? At this age they lack judgment and the perceptual skills to safely navigate intersections and streets. So what can we all do to prevent injury?

Motorists should reduce their speed especially in residential areas or near playground areas.
Teach your children to stop at driveways, alleys and areas without curbs and to never run out into the street.
Teach your children to cross at the corner by stopping to activate the pedestrian cross signals (if the exist), look both ways and listen for oncoming traffic. Wait and keep looking to ensure no vehicles are coming. When crossing the street to walk, don’t run and look the driver of the vehicle in the eye while they are in the crosswalk.
School patrollers should be respected and play an important role at school crossing intersections. Children should be taught to obey their directions.
Teach children to walk on the sidewalk, never on the street, but a far away from traffic as possible. If there are no sidewalks always walk facing traffic.
Teach children to never cross between parked cars.
Teach children that playing games around railway tracks or railway crossings can be deadly. The only safe way to cross a railway track is at the designated crossing.
Parents be a good role model as our children mimic what we see, so don’t cross in the middle of the block if you want your child to cross at the intersection.

With more activity outdoors, you might consider buying your children a swing, slide or other play apparatus. Follow a few of these simple guidelines will prevent injury incidents:

Start with equipment the children can use safely now vs. buying something they will grow into.
Falls from play equipment are a cause of injury: deep, soft surfaces underneath such as wood chips; keep heights low; ensure equipment has guard rails; children under five should avoid high equipment.
Swing seats should be made of rubber or soft seats.
Ensure equipment is firmly anchored to prevent it from tipping.
Take off any cords or strings that could strangle your child during play.
Always supervise a young child at water play.
Inspect your backyard playground regularly looking for signs of wear, cracks and ensure bolts are tight.

Any activity has some element of risk, knowing what to do in case of an emergency is important. Some incidents will require first aid and controlling bleeding is likely the number one incident. Firm direct pressure will stop most bleeding. Depending on the severity of the incident you might require stiches. Simple cuts and scrapes require a good cleaning and likely a simple dressing. Sprains/strains most likely ice and some rest. Knowing what to do and how to react is easy if you take a first aid course. For upcoming courses and dates call 306-953-8350. Our summer car seat clinics are back. These free no appointment clinics begin on June 22 beginning at 1030AM at the 6th Avenue Car Wash. Thank you to Shelly for being our summer hosts.

This week we celebrate the official start to summer, that being the May long weekend. While some lakes might still have ice on them, it is still great to leave the hectic schedule at home for a little less busy ‘lake life.’ As you open the cottage maybe for the first time this weekend, here are a few reminders.

•   Before building a fire in the fireplace, grab a flashlight and have a look up the chimney to make sure it is clear of any debris or leave a critter who might have built their nest.
•   Opening the storage shed for the first time, give it a chance to air out to before you venture in. Again, rodents might have built their home leaving feces behind that if it’s from a deer mouse, they might contain hantavirus.
•   If you are trimming back some trees, wear the gear such as gloves, safety glasses, proper footwear, and long pants. Earing protection and possibly even a hard hat when using a chain saw should be essential.
•   Dropping the boat into the water, make sure everyone who operates the craft has their pleasure craft operator’s card. The essentials i.e., paddles, tow rope, sound device, might vary from size of craft to size of craft. Know what you need for craft size.
•   Often the pontoon boats size is deceiving that we won’t tip thus why bother with life jackets. A properly fitted life jacket or personal floatation device must be always worn by every person. It’s a little late to try and find it when you are bobbing in the lake amongst the debris.
•   Building an outdoor fire is part of the lake life ritual but do so safely. Obey all local regulations or fire bans, if applicable. A good idea to have a pail of water and shovel near by just in case.

Please don’t be that guy or that gal who spends a great day at the lake or rushing to the lake from the city, while impaired. Save the booze for the deck not for the vehicle. Impairment can be with alcohol or other substances. Everyone is always so worried about being caught by the police. Most don’t think about the innocent lives of others when you are in a collision. Please don’t drink and drive or operate watercraft while impaired. The penalties are the same.

May 22-28 is Paramedic Services Week – Rising to the Challenge shows the incredible resilience of our teams. During the pandemic, our teams adapted and overcame many challenges to deliver the top-notch quality care. Paramedic has changed during the pandemic and will continue to evolve with new treatments, new or updated equipment and of course the important people, that make our team so successful. Our hard working, caring, empathetic, dedicated, and fun professionals do their very best each day for you. Follow our social media challenges, to learn more about being a paramedic, the educational requirements, career opportunities and professional requirements. When we rise to the challenge, our paramedic teams, are there for you! Happy Paramedic Services Week!

With the snow gone the thoughts to outdoor activities takes on new meaning and gets families out enjoying the day. With any activity we at Parkland Ambulance Care want to encourage you to have a word with yourself. Sound strange? Before every activity run through a checklist in your head and make sure the right gear is part of the plan. Let me explain.

Headed out as a family for a bike ride parents insist that their children don a properly fitting bike helmet. Though many parents themselves choose not to wear one. Does that set a bad example? Is it possible that moms and dads won’t fall from their bike? Bike helmets significantly reduce the risk of a serious head injury. As Ron Horn, From Fresh Air Experience was explaining to me this past weekend, new technology gives you even more protection to the back of the head. Cycling is a great activity but wear the gear and a helmet is one piece. Learn and practice the rules of the road too! How old is your cycling helmet? They need to be replaced every few years.

Spring means a time to hit the trails or create a new trail while we operate ATV. But operating an ATV whether for fun or in the farm yard to do chores comes with some attention to safety as well. Wearing a helmet, gloves, goggles, long pants, good footwear and no alcohol are things we need to be aware of. Knowing the terrain is essential but part of the fun as folks might try to bury through a mud bog. An ATV still can tip if the angle is too steep or it is easy to lose control if the bank or trail suddenly gives way.

With the lakes opening up, many people can hardly wait to drop the boat into the water either for fishing or recreational activities like water skiing. Every activity on the water whether canoeing, kayaking, fishing in a small boat or being pulled along wake boarding requires one common piece of equipment, a life jacket. These are not seat cushions, nor are they meant to be put on in an emergency as if you were on evacuation from an airplane, a life jacket is meant to be worn each and every time you are on the water in the boat.

Don’t think you’ll have time to put it on before the boat capsizes. Someone or something might prevent that from happening. Nor will you be able to swim to shore. In case your boat capsizes, stay with the vessel as the cold water will be more than enough to contend with.

Knowing what to do in an emergency is essential as having a word with yourself. Understand that every activity comes with some element of risk but if we can minimize the risk but doing simple things we can and will often save our lives.

This week is Emergency Preparedness Week where we focus attention to getting prepared. From planning a road trip to visit family, to working in the yard or getting ready for a busy farming season, there is always an element of preparation.

For example, we make sure the vehicle is full of fuel, we brought the right gear and didn’t forget anything at home. But what about a simple first aid kit? If you were traveling in unfamiliar area and something happened where you need to call for help, can you describe your location.

Dry brush around the yard, fallen trees from winter or a general yard clean up, lessen the degree of a grass fire in a rural area. If faced with an evacuation from home, what would you take, where would you go, all things to consider. The Government of Canada has a great web site www.getprepared.ca where there is a lot of great resources. Don’t delay get prepared today. Be Safe!

The weather has started to get us excited that maybe, just maybe spring could be upon us.

Puddles, potholes, and ice, lots of ice, have been creating trouble on our commutes for the last few days. The sidewalk may be your best friend now as we all need to keep our sidewalks free of ice. Is this melting going to stay or just tease us for a potential early spring? Your guess is as good as mine, but spring does officially arrive March 20, so we best get ready.

Should you expect flooding in your local area? Now is the time, even in the city, to take a stroll around the property and check.

Is the water draining away from the foundation of your home? Are the drainpipes attached at your house? With all the winter snow, it’s time to move some. Consider making sure you try to get the bulk of it at least 6 feet away from the house.

Those living in the rural areas potential maybe seeing poor road conditions or potential for flooding. What’s the plan if your regular route home is blocked? Do you have a secondary route?

Now is the time to start thinking about planning for possibility of flooding in your area. For those living in the rural areas, paramedics and other emergency services rely on your directions how to get quickly and safely to the scene of the emergency. Make sure your instructions include that alternative route.

Having said that, we encourage those in the rural area to take a piece of paper and write down directions showing how to get to your home from the nearest major road. You always think that it will be you or your spouse calling for help but what if the kids came home from school to find mom at the bottom of the stairs as she tripped with the laundry basket. If the kids had to call for help do, they know the directions?

What if it was the neighbor needing to place the call. Plan now; write down your name, the telephone number, legal land location of the house and directions of how to get to the house using fixed measurements and visible fixed landmarks. Help is on the way but only if they know how to get there. Remember you may not be the one to place the call for that help.

Thinking about spring is a reminder to consider that your favourite lake you fished on this winter or snowmobiled across might be getting thin in places. Smaller dugouts, ponds or creeks might be displaying thin rotten grey or “dirty” ice conditions. Stay away from these ice conditions as falling into icy cold water is extremely dangerous and you may not survive. As we start to experience more melting conditions, snow piles or snow forts are areas our kids need to be told to avoid.

Spring brings about a chance to start spring cleaning. Opening the shed to get at the garden tools or other storage buildings where besides the boat and tools, a few rodents might have been spending their winter. Give closed in spaces a chance to air out before you venture in. Your clean-up might need to include cleaning up animal droppings. Take proper precautions to prevent any illnesses.

Melting snow might reveal trash or unexpected sharp objects like needles. A good pair of leather work gloves, pliers, and a puncture proof container, can easily help you handle safe pickup. You can book a first aid class with us either as a certified course or just to learn the basics in a noncertified community presentation. Be Safe!!

On Sunday, March 13, much of Canada will spring forward and adjust their clocks. In Saskatchewan we don’t as we do not observe day light savings time. But the annual ritual of adjusting clocks signals spring might not be too far away, we hope! But in our need to get to spring, there is still plenty of winter left and all this snow needs to melt away.

With frozen ground where will all the water run? Let’s hope not into your basement, but now is the time to start moving the snow at least 6 feet away from your house. It’s going to take a while to get rid of all this snow. As I jokingly say let’s hope it’s not July before it’s gone from the north side of our home.

March 8 was International Women’s Day. We salute the accomplishments of women everywhere. We acknowledge the dedicated women of our paramedic and communications teams who everyday bring their expertise to care for you. Congratulations ladies on the great work you do!

March is often the time when we start to do some spring cleaning. Sometimes that cleaning involves the disposal of unwanted medications. If you have unwanted prescriptions or outdated medications don’t just dump in the garbage or flush them down the toilet. The safest way is bag them up and deliver them to your pharmacist for safe, proper disposal. That is one safe way to prevent accidental poisoning in your home. Other ways can include:

            •           Keep medications safely out of the reach of small curious children.

            •           The same goes for common household cleaning chemicals.

            •           If you think your child may have accidently ingested some medications or household chemicals, ask your self these important questions:

            •           Is the child wake, breathing normally and responding to commands appropriately? If yes, then first call Poison Control at 1-866-454-1212. These experts will guide you through the next steps. If you do call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number, you will get help but maybe in certain circumstances you might avoid a trip to the hospital.

            •           Don’t treat medication as candy.

            •           Don’t pour household chemicals from a larger container to something like a soda pop container which might be easier to transport. Children see the coloured bottle and might associate the image with something tasty to drink.

We often get calls about where to obtain a first aid kit. Many local stores will have them available, but you can also make one yourself. Here’s a few easy steps:

            •           Find a suitable container – a used plastic take out container for example.

            •           You need something to stop the bleeding including various sizes of bandages.

            •           Some tweezer and scissors.

            •           An antibiotic ointment.

            •           Depending, where the kit goes, you might have splinting materials, a sling, a few small plastic bags.

            •           Your workplace will have different needs often required by regulations than what you might need at home.

It’s easy to make or buy one. Keep it handy and stocked and let other family members know where to find it. Stay calm when an emergency does occur. If you need paramedics give good accurate directions to where help is need and do your best to answer our medical communications teams’ questions. Stay safe!