Safety Tips for Outdoor Adventures

Deborah FarlowBlog, Safety

Are you gearing up for your next outdoor adventure? Whether you’re planning a serene hike through the mountains or a thrilling camping trip under the stars, ensuring your safety should be a top priority. From unexpected weather changes to encountering wildlife, outdoor excursions can present various challenges. But with the right preparation and equipment, you can minimize risks and maximize enjoyment. In this guide, we’ll explore essential safety tips, must-have supplies, and precautions for your outdoor adventures. 1. Plan and Prepare: Before embarking on any outdoor excursion, take the time to research your destination thoroughly. Familiarize yourself with the terrain, …

Spring Safety Essentials

Deborah FarlowBlog, First Aid, Safety

As spring unfolds and nature bursts with life, it’s time to enjoy outdoor fun like picnics and hikes. But in the spirit of Emergency Preparedness Week, let’s not overlook safety. Emergency Preparedness Week presents a vital opportunity to proactively safeguard yourself, your loved ones, and your community in times of crisis. This year, the theme “Be Prepared. Know Your Risks.” underscores the importance of awareness and readiness. It urges Canadians to familiarize themselves with the specific risks pertinent to their regions and to equip themselves with the knowledge needed to reduce those risks effectively, ensuring the safety and well-being of …

The Importance of CPR Training

Deborah FarlowBlog, First Aid, Safety

Creating a safe and secure workplace goes beyond complying with regulations; it involves empowering employees with the skills and knowledge needed to respond effectively in emergencies. One skill that stands out as paramount is Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). In this blog post, we’ll delve into the critical importance of CPR training in the workplace and why it should be a cornerstone of every organization’s commitment to employee well-being. 1. Immediate Response to Emergencies Accidents and medical emergencies can happen at any time in the workplace. From sudden cardiac arrests to choking incidents, the ability to provide immediate assistance is crucial. CPR …

A Guide for AED Users: Responsible Disposal of AED Accessories

Deborah FarlowBlog, Safety

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are crucial life-saving devices, but as responsible users, it’s essential to understand the proper disposal methods for expired AED pads, batteries, and units. In this guide, we’ll explore the eco-friendly and safe ways to dispose of these components, ensuring both environmental sustainability and public safety. Expired AED Pads: Electronic Waste Recycling AED pads, equipped with electrodes and electronic components, should be treated as electronic waste. To dispose of expired AED pads responsibly: Take them to an accredited electronics recycling facility. Participate in electronic waste recycling programs available in your community. If AED pads have been contaminated …

Regular Maintenance is Key for a Working Portable Defibrillator

Sky MattixBlog, Safety

Having a portable defibrillator on site is the first step to saving a life but it doesn’t end there. Did you know creating a routine maintenance program and adhering to that program is the only way to be sure that it is ready to use? Defibrillators are the only item that can reliably help resume normal cardiac function, so it is important that such a device works when you need it. For most office environments, most manufacturers recommend checking your device once a month, making a note of any replacements that are required during the course of the inspection and …

How and Why an AED Can Save Lives in Ontario

Sky MattixBlog, Safety

What is an Automated External Defibrillator? If you haven’t heard by now, an AED is a medical device that is designed to restore a normal heartbeat to a distressed individual by sending a corrective electric pulse to their heart. It may be used to stop or correct an arrhythmia, which is a heartbeat that is irregular, too slow, or too fast. Though it may seem intimidating at first, these devices have been tailored for public use and require minimal training. Many health and safety-conscious companies are placing defibrillators in their workspaces, so read on and learn how to use an …

Halloween Safety Tips

Sky MattixBlog, Safety

Halloween Safety Tips Trick-or-Treat! Halloween is just around the corner so the First Aid Canada Team is here to provide you with some safety tips to enjoy your night to the fullest, as well as safest: Tips for Children Trick or treat with you parents and/or groups of people If you are heading out without your parents be sure to give enough time to return home by curfew Wear reflective clothing or that which is vibrant colours Avoid wearing masks, opt for face paints instead Wait to cross the street at lights and cross walks and avoid from walking out …

Defibrillators Save Lives in Schools

Sky MattixBlog, Safety

Defibrillators Save Lives in Schools Having an AED onsite at school can mean the difference between life and death. Being September we felt it was important to go into detail of the value of having a defibrillator onsite within schools. Age Doesn’t Matter There is a common misconception when it comes to cardiac arrest, often people believe it can only occur in aging or unhealthy adults, when quite commonly children can suffer from sudden cardiac arrest. Often when cardiac arrest occurs in children it is related to a heart condition that had not yet been recognized or diagnosed, so a …

Checklist: Summer Roadtrip

Sky MattixBlog, Safety

Checklist: Summer Roadtrip The Summer brings beautiful weather and vacations! Whether you’ve planned a roadtrip up to cottage country or one across the country this checklist will come in handy: Route Check Before heading out on your adventure be sure to check the road conditions ahead, such as those affected by weather or accidents. There are apps such as Waze, which can come in very handy, even on a shorter commute to work. Waze is a GPS app which will alert you of smaller road conditions such as potholes, but also larger issues such as traffic jams or accidents. Vehicle Check …

How to Stay Safe in the Sun & Treat Burns

Sky MattixBlog, Safety

How to Stay Safe in the Sun & Treat Burns As the weather heats up it’s important to keep sun safety in mind. Although the sun can be very enjoyable it’s important to understand the negative effects of prolonged exposure and how you can prevent it from causing you discomfort or long term effects. Suntans and Sunburns Although it may be your summer goal, suntans are dangerous as they are a version of sun damage. Consistent or lengthy unprotected exposure to the sun can cause moderate to severe sunburns (ie. Radiation Burns). Even though suntans/burns do heal over time, prolonged …

How to Respond to an Emergency

Sky MattixBlog, Safety

How to Respond to an Emergency: Step-by-Step Would you know how to handle an emergency? Here is a brief step-by-step guide to remind you how to handle yourself and others when it comes to an emergency situation: Remain Calm The most important thing when facing an emergency is to remain calm. Remaining calm will help anyone else involved in the situation present their selves in the best way to move forward to help those affected and potentially save lives. Keep People Away from the Site and Situation When an emergency occurs it can draw a lot of attention. It is …

Spring Hiking Checklist

Sky MattixBlog, Safety

Spring Hiking Checklist Happy First Day of Spring! It’s nearing that time for ideal hiking conditions: not too hot, not too cold, lots of greenery, blooms and if you’re lucky some wildlife (friendly wildlife of course)! We want you to be prepared for all of the adventures in the paths ahead. Here’s our Safe Hiking Checklist: Have you packed enough food and water? Hiking causes your body to expend a significant amount of energy even when your hike is short. Be sure to bring enough food to feed not only your energy levels, but others you are hiking with as …