Author: Ryan T

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Reccomendations for Staying Safe at the Cottage

Reccomendations for Staying Safe at the Cottage

There’s no better season than cottage season. With summer approaching quickly it’s important to be sure you’re ready for your first weekend of relaxation. First Aid Canada is here to provide you with the products to keep safe over the summer season in the comfort of your cottage. Below are the minumum, mandatory items each cottage kit should contain:

The Basics (necessary items):

* All of the products listed above are included in our Deluxe Cottage Kit. For the entire list of kit contents please click here.

Additional Products (you may want to consider more of these): 

All of these products are available at FirstAidCanada.com. Shop away and get all of your cottage safety supplies from one, 100% Canadian owned and operated source. 

Life is Precious. Be Prepared.

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Happy Earth Day! We Supported Solar Roadways

Are you in the service industry? Well then this blog is sure to come in handy. Here are some of our greatest tips on how to keep your work environment a safe one:

Blue Detectable Bandages 

Have you ever been served a dish with something unpleasant and unexpected in it, for example, a hair? It completely ruins your meal and sometimes even your entire appetite. Could you imagine finding a bandage in your dish? Horrible thought, isn’t it? First Aid Canada proudly supplies restaurants with blue detectable bandages. These bandages are bright blue in colour and come in a variety of sizes and shapes to best suit your kitchen and prevent accidents. 

Allergies & Epipens

Allergies are becoming more and more prominent and thus, the food service industry must learn to cope with different dietary requests. People with severe allergies are advised to carry an Epipen with them at all times; however in some cases some individuals fail to be prepared. Restaurants should always have an Epipen onsite to prevent liability for anaphylactic shock. First Aid Canada recommends purchasing your Epipen directly from the source: http://www.epipen.ca/

Standard First Aid & CPR Training

Hundreds of people can pass through a single restaurant on any given day and this creates a risk factor for likelihood of facing ant emergency your workplace. It is important to be safe rather than sorry when it comes to medical emergencies and that’s why public places should not only be equipped with the supplies needed to save lives, but the skills. It is recommended that restaurant workers be trained in Standard First Aid and CPR to prevent emergencies.

AEDS

In addition to what is mentioned above it is now becoming more and more prevalent that restaurants contain an Automated External Defibrillator. These devices are not only easy to operate, but they also save lives. In the time it takes for someone to call an ambulance and for the response personal to arrive at the scene, an AED could have already saved that life.

Government Regulation First Aid Kits 

It is mandatory for all workplaces in Canada to have a regulation First Aid Kit which varies in size and contents depending on the industry and number of employees. Here are some of our Standard kits available for the restaurant industry:

First Aid Canada is pleased to offer Deluxe kits which are government regulation kits, identical to those above, but with more products and in some cases more relevant products:


All of the kits listed are available online by the click of a button. First Aid Canada is also pleased to offer nationwide shipping. For questions or inquiries please feel free to contact the team at:

Toll-Free: 1-855-322-4243 or by email: savelives@firstaidcanada.com

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn & Google+.

Life is Precious. Be Prepared.

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How to Make Your Restaurant a Safer Place

Are you in the service industry? Well then this blog is sure to come in handy. Here are some of our greatest tips on how to keep your work environment a safe one:

Blue Detectable Bandages 

Have you ever been served a dish with something unpleasant and unexpected in it, for example, a hair? It completely ruins your meal and sometimes even your entire appetite. Could you imagine finding a bandage in your dish? Horrible thought, isn’t it? First Aid Canada proudly supplies restaurants with blue detectable bandages. These bandages are bright blue in colour and come in a variety of sizes and shapes to best suit your kitchen and prevent accidents. 

Allergies & Epipens

Allergies are becoming more and more prominent and thus, the food service industry must learn to cope with different dietary requests. People with severe allergies are advised to carry an Epipen with them at all times; however in some cases some individuals fail to be prepared. Restaurants should always have an Epipen onsite to prevent liability for anaphylactic shock. First Aid Canada recommends purchasing your Epipen directly from the source: http://www.epipen.ca/

Standard First Aid & CPR Training

Hundreds of people can pass through a single restaurant on any given day and this creates a risk factor for likelihood of facing ant emergency your workplace. It is important to be safe rather than sorry when it comes to medical emergencies and that’s why public places should not only be equipped with the supplies needed to save lives, but the skills. It is recommended that restaurant workers be trained in Standard First Aid and CPR to prevent emergencies.

AEDS

In addition to what is mentioned above it is now becoming more and more prevalent that restaurants contain an Automated External Defibrillator. These devices are not only easy to operate, but they also save lives. In the time it takes for someone to call an ambulance and for the response personal to arrive at the scene, an AED could have already saved that life.

Government Regulation First Aid Kits 

It is mandatory for all workplaces in Canada to have a regulation First Aid Kit which varies in size and contents depending on the industry and number of employees. Here are some of our Standard kits available for the restaurant industry:

First Aid Canada is pleased to offer Deluxe kits which are government regulation kits, identical to those above, but with more products and in some cases more relevant products:


All of the kits listed are available online by the click of a button. First Aid Canada is also pleased to offer nationwide shipping. For questions or inquiries please feel free to contact the team at:

Toll-Free: 1-855-322-4243 or by email: savelives@firstaidcanada.com

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn & Google+.

Life is Precious. Be Prepared.

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Understanding The Difference: Heart Attacks vs. Cardiac Arrest

Friends of Honduran Children - Map of Honduras

Giving Back:

In October 2014 the First Aid Canada Team gave back in the form of first aid supplies to underprivileged communities in Honduras through the organization The Friends of Honduran Children.

The FOHC is a non-profit organization based in Peterborough, Ontario. The organization is committed to the delivery of sustainable programs to the impoverished children and families in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Among the several services intended to break the cycle of inequality and poverty in this population, medical brigades is one way to contribute.

This past October (2014), a health promotion brigade consisting of an interdisciplinary team including nursing students from Trent University, travelled to Honduras to deliver supplies as well as educate children of various ages and their caretakers on various health issues, such as; oral hygiene, self-breasts examination, and CPR and First Aid. 

First Aid Canada proudly donated supplies such as: 

Friends of Honduran Children - First Aid Canada Supplies

 “With the kind supply donation from First Aid Canada, we were able to equip various schools and orphanages with first aid kits as well as give first aid supplies to the children and caretakers in our audiences.” Said participant, Bianca.

For more information, ways to get involved or to donate please visit: http://www.honduranchildren.com

Life is Precious. Be Prepared.

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Giving Back: Friends of Honduran Children

Friends of Honduran Children - Map of Honduras

Giving Back:

In October 2014 the First Aid Canada Team gave back in the form of first aid supplies to underprivileged communities in Honduras through the organization The Friends of Honduran Children.

The FOHC is a non-profit organization based in Peterborough, Ontario. The organization is committed to the delivery of sustainable programs to the impoverished children and families in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Among the several services intended to break the cycle of inequality and poverty in this population, medical brigades is one way to contribute.

This past October (2014), a health promotion brigade consisting of an interdisciplinary team including nursing students from Trent University, travelled to Honduras to deliver supplies as well as educate children of various ages and their caretakers on various health issues, such as; oral hygiene, self-breasts examination, and CPR and First Aid. 

First Aid Canada proudly donated supplies such as: 

Friends of Honduran Children - First Aid Canada Supplies

 “With the kind supply donation from First Aid Canada, we were able to equip various schools and orphanages with first aid kits as well as give first aid supplies to the children and caretakers in our audiences.” Said participant, Bianca.

For more information, ways to get involved or to donate please visit: http://www.honduranchildren.com

Life is Precious. Be Prepared.

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Tips for Safe Hiking

Canadian Hikers in the Wilderness+

With the weather heating up, especially in Western Canada many people find themselves heading out for hikes. Whether your hiking path is short or long it is important to remember these safety tips:

 1. Bring 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 well. In case of an emergency you do not want to be put into a lengthy situation without food. Water is just as important as brining food on your hike as it will keep you hydrated. Be sure to bring extra water on warmer days as your body will be releasing more fluids in attempt to regulate body temperature.

 2. Ensure Good Physical Condition

Prior to heading out for a hike check conditions and trail ratings. Never out yourself into a situation you aren’t physically fit enough for. This reduces chances of injuries at all levels. If you desire a certain trail to venture onto, but feel you aren’t ready for it make it a goal to go in a few weeks after you have attempted easier trails first.

 3. Check Conditions

Weather can make a huge difference on the difficulty and danger levels of a hike. Opt for hiking in moderate and mild temperatures and avoid days with extreme hot or cold warnings. Another important condition to check before heading out is whether or not animals have been sighted in the area or if there is an overall warning for cougars or bears. If you choose to continue to head out in these areas bring necessary equipment to keep yourself safe from these animals if you happen to cross paths, i.e. bear spray.

 4. Stay Alert

As mentioned above it is important to stay alert for animals in the woods. Avoid hiking with headphones in as this could prevent you from hearing something important while hiking. Signs and warnings are also things to stay alert for on a hike, this can include: warning signs for mud or rockslides, dangerous areas, animals, cliffs, etc.

 5. Make a Checklist

Before heading out make a checklist for items necessary to bring on your hike. Examples can and should include:

The Hikers’ First Aid Kit (available in a Standard and Deluxe version) is a perfect addition to any hike or adventure as the kit is small and compact. Although these kits are small and easy to carry they contain all of the necessary supplies an individual would need for basic hiking related injuries.

Lastly, it is very important to let someone know where and when you are going for a hike. Let the individual know when you expect to arrive home and call to check in.

Wishing you a safe and happy hike! 

Life is Precious. Be Prepared.

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Our Review of the Restaurants Canada Show 2015

Our Review of the Restaurants Canada Show 2015

On March 1-3, 2015 the First Aid Canada team took part in The Restaurants Canada Show. Hundreds of exhibitors filled the Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place in downtown Toronto. First Aid Canada’s booth was located at 210b:

First Aid Canada at The Restaurants Canada Show 2015

Numerous products were on display for key decision makers in the restaurant and food processing industry to check out for their teams. The Deluxe Restaurant and Food Processing kit (photographed above) was part of a contest draw. The winner was contacted on Thursday and thrilled to receive their kit: “Just what my restaurant needs – from bandages for servers feet to burn relief for kitchen accidents this kit will go to great use.”

Other items on display included:

All products and kits are available for purchase nationwide on the First Aid Canada website. For any of the first aid kits offered comes a self-serve replenishment program. Checklists are included within each kit for a three-month inspection. Upon inspections kit owners can check off the items needed, email the list to First Aid Canada and they will be shipped the contents needed with no extra service charge. 

#RestoShow15 was trending in Toronto with great conversations happening around the delicious food, live events and incredible products and services. Passers by enjoyed taking part in the “Save Choking Charlie” challenge:

 


All in all it was a very successful three days filled with tons of great people all looking to celebrate the Canadian restaurant industry!

Life is Precious. Be Prepared.

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Tips for Staying Safe on the Road During Winter

snow covered road

With the extreme weather conditions that winter can bring, such as rain, sleet, snow and ice, vehicle safety has received a lot of recent attention in the news. The importance of vehicle distress kits in the case of an emergency has also been highlighted.

Here are some things to watch out for on the road and tips to remain safe while winter is still in full effect:

Black Ice

Black ice is a transparent coating of ice, found on the road or other paved surface, and drivers typically can’t see it, until you’re right on top of it. If there is the possibility of black ice on the road here’s how to avoid an accident:

  • Drive slowly and avoid sudden movement and braking

  • Maintain a safe following distance of other vehicles

  • Look for trouble spots ahead and do your best to safely avoid them

  • If your car hits black ice remember to take your foot off of the gas pedal

Snow

Whether it’s already on the ground or falling, snow can have a huge effect on driving safety. Here’s how to avoid an accident due to snow: 

  • Be sure your windshield wipers are fit for a snow fall

  • Make sure your car has plenty of windshield washer fluid

  • Have 4 winter tires secured on your vehicle before the first snowfall

  • Plan your trip, check road and weather conditions

  • Remove all snow from your vehicle before heading out onto the road

  • If it’s really bad outside, just stay home

Animals

Poor weather conditions can reduce visibility and maneuverability which can lead to accidents, including those involving animals, especially outside of major cities. Here’s how to prevent animal-related accidents in the winter: 

  • Obey the speed limit

  • Watch for signs displaying frequent animal sightings or crossings

  • Be especially cautious at dusk and dawn – animals are most active at this time and visibility is poor

  • If you see an animal near the side of the road, slow down right away, you never know if the animal will run out in front of you. Warn other motorists by flashing your hazard lights.

Vehicle accidents occur too frequently, especially when weather conditions are bad. If you don’t already, it is important to have an emergency kit in your vehicle to keep yourself and your passengers safe just in case . If you witness another car in an accident, having a first aid kit means you can help if they need it.

First Aid Canada offers three sizes of vehicle distress kits. Click on the following for more details: 

Life is Precious. Be Prepared.

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Welcome to Heart Month 2015!

red mittens holding snow heart

Every 7 minutes in Canada, someone dies from heart disease or stroke. In fact, it is expected that incidences of heart disease and stroke will increase in the upcoming generations due to poor diets (including high sodium intake), increased stress and sedentary work environments.

Heart Disease Facts

  • Nine in 10 Canadians (90%) have at least one risk factor for heart disease or stroke (smoking, alcohol, physical inactivity, obesity, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes)
  • The leading cause of hospitalization in Canada continues to be heart disease and stroke, accounting for 16.9 % of total hospitalizations (19.8% of all hospitalizations for men and 14.0% for women)
  • Today, less than 10% of children meet recommended physical activity guidelines and less than half eat the recommended fruit and vegetables for optimum health
  • Up to 40,000 cardiac arrests (a severe effect of heart disease) occur each year in Canada. That’s one cardiac arrest every 12 minutes

What is Heart Month?

February is heart month. Heart month is meant to spread awareness of heart disease and stroke to promote prevention, and at the same time raise money for research on the best treatments when people do get it.

Who is behind Heart Month?

For over 60 years the Heart and Stroke Foundation has organized Heart Month. It is has become one of the largest fundraising campaigns in Canada in the battle against these two preventable killers. Since its inception, tens of thousands of individuals and both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations take part including, various charities, health organizations and companies such as First Aid Canada.

What can I do to help?

Heart Month brings together tens of thousands of Canadians who volunteer and donate to raise funds which will help support life-saving research and the raising of awareness of heart disease and stroke within the community. Learn how you can participate and join the Heart Month Community.

You can also spread awareness about heart health to your friends, family and network by taking the time to learn more about keeping your heart healthy. Heart disease and stroke can be avoided by making healthier choices such as:

  • Quitting smoking
  • Avoiding alcohol
  • Exercising regularly
  • Eating a healthy diet
  • Avoiding high cholesterol foods
  • Managing Stress Well

For the month of February First Aid Canada will be publishing a new fact daily on social channels to help raise awareness of #HeartMonth. Follow the First Aid Canada #HeartMonth campaign on these social platforms:

As a company we challenge you to “share if you care.” Help prevent what is preventable when it comes to heart disease and stroke and learn more about how you can save lives…

In recognition of Heart Month 2015, First Aid Canada will be offering a 10% discount on all AEDs. For more information, please contact us at 1-855-322-4243.

Life is Precious. Be Prepared. 

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What You Should Know About Snow Shoveling and Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Man shoveling snow at risk of sudden cardiac arrest

There are an unsettling number of people who are rushed to the hospital with chest pain after shovelling their driveways, many of them have had a heart attack.

Although a heart attack IS an excellent excuse to get out of clearing your driveway of snow…that is not why people are getting them! The bottom line comes down to risk of cardiovascular disease (such as high blood pressure or cholesterol), and not regularly exercising.

If it’s been a while since you’ve exercised, it is best that when you do start back up, to take it slow. If someone who has not exercised in a long while wanted to get back into exercising by running a marathon, it’s just not realistic and down-right dangerous. You must work your body up to a point where it can HANDLE the 52km run. If your body isn’t ready, you will get hurt.

The true is same for shovelling snow. Shovelling snow is very intense exercise. Just think, you go to the gym to lift WEIGHT. When you shovel, you are lifting weight. Pushing and lifting, and throwing….over and over again. And the heavier the snow, the harder it is. Shovelling your driveway after a heavy snow fall is like going to the gym and working out hard for an hour or so.

This isn’t a recommendation to not shovel…on the contrary, this is a message to start exercising! The snow will fall this winter, and you will have to shovel it…you can decrease your risk of heart attack during your shovelling by exercising regularly.

But what should you do when you are shovelling and you feel chest pain?

Recognize the Signs.

Not everyone experiences a heart attack the same, you may not feel the “typical” symptoms.

  • Pain or pressure in the chest
  • Pain in your jaw
  • Nausea (like you need to vomit)
  • Pain shooting down your arm
  • Overall feeling of being unwell

 If you feel any of these, stop what you are doing, and CALL 911.

How can you prevent a heart attack during snow shovelling?

Before You Shovel…

  • Talk to your doctor before the snow starts falling
  • Avoid shoveling right after you wake up as most heart attacks occur early in the morning when blood is more prone to clotting
  • Do not eat a heavy meal before shoveling
  • Warm up before starting by walking, marching in place and/or doing light stretching
  • Do not drink coffee or smoke at least one hour before. These elevate your blood pressure and heart rate

While You Shovel…

  • Try to shovel when the snow is light and powdery
  • Use a smaller shovel…it’s lighter when you lift
  • Wear light, layered, water-repellent clothing provides both ventilation and insulation. It is also important to wear a hat, as well as mittens or gloves and thick, warm socks
  • Avoid falls by wearing shoes or boots that have slip-resistant soles
  • Take regular breaks, you don’t have to finish the entire driveway in one go
  • Drink lots of water to prevent dehydration
  • If you feel pressure, pain or tightness in your chest, or discomfort spreading to your shoulders, neck, jaw, arms, or back, call 911 immediately

And if you are in doubt, or have already suffered a heart attack…just hire someone to do the driveway for you. You can always watch from the window as you drink some hot cocoa.

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The SHOCKING Truth Behind AEDs

AED philips heart start

You’ve seen them around. In the metal wall containers in subway stations, in malls and community centres…AEDs are everywhere. Why? Because they work. When your heart needs it, along with effective CPR, an AED can save your life by kickstarting your heart back to normal. To understand how, you have to know a bit about how your heart works.

Your Heart is a Muscle

It’s about the size of your fist and is in the upper left side of your chest (just off the centre). And your heart has an incredibly important function. It pumps blood to all areas of your body. But not just blood. In that reddish liquid is oxygen that each one of your cells need. As well as all the nutrients, energy, antibodies, pretty much everything necessary for your body to survive. Without your heart pumping these things throughout our body (and our brain), our body would just stop working…and quite frankly, we would die.popping up everywhere. Soon in restaurants too. And there is good reason. AEDs save lives.

But the heart keeps pumping. All day, all night. Sometimes it speeds up, sometimes it slows down, but as long as it keeps pumping, we are in pretty good shape.

Your Heart is Electrical

Like all of your muscles, the signal that contracts the muscle fibres of the heart is, in a way, self-electrocuting at a specific rhythm, so that the parts of the heart contract in just the right way. The contraction starts at the top of the heart…and the left and right atria contract. This sends blood rushing down into the ventricles, the larger chambers of the heart. Then the ventricles the contract and send the blood rushing out of the heart…some of the blood goes to the lungs to get some more oxygen (and release CO2), and the rest gets pumped to the rest of the body.

But what is very important is this rhythm. The atria, then the ventricles, the atria, then the ventricles, and so on. And at the right pace so that the atria and ventricles have a chance to fill back up between contractions. When the electrical pattern gets messy and disorganized, we get into trouble because the heart does not effectively pump the blood around the body. Another word for this ‘messy’ electrical activity is called: FIBRILLATION.

And this is where AED comes in:

AED = Automatic External Defibrillator

AED’s specific purpose is to DEfibrillate the heart. It does this by giving the heart a jolt of electricity that resets the ‘internal pacemaker’ of the heart back into a normal sinus rhythm. AEDs are incredibly easy to use. You just apply the sticky pads to the person’s body as it’s shown on the machine, turn it on and step back. The AED automatically analyzes the person’s heart electrical activity and will either recommend, or not recommend a shock. If a shock is recommended, the AED will charge and tell you when it’s ready to shock, which you, as the rescuer do by pushing the red, flashing button.

AEDs are now more affordable than ever. If either you, or someone you love have a heart condition or is at elevated risk for arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm) or cardiac arrest, you may want to consider having a home AED machine just in case. If it was needed, the quicker it is applied, the higher the chances it will save your life. Having an AED on site decreases the delay that could be fatal for someone in need.

Check out First Aid Canada’s line of Philips HeartStart AEDs for the best AEDs on the market: www.firstaidcanada.com/aed.

And nothing goes better with AED than CPR…all First Aid Canada’s CPR and First Aid courses incorporate AED training into the curriculum. Customers who purchase a Philips HeartStart AED from First Aid Canada are eligible for a 10% on all CPR/First Aid Courses (6-10 participants). 

Life is Precious. Be Prepared.

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Great Canadian Tips for Staying Safe in the Winter

Warning Sign Beside Frozen PondWinter in Canada is a special season. We pride ourselves on our snowy, long and ‘Canadian’ winter season. There are some reasons to be bitter (excuse the pun), but others reasons to rejoice. Skiing, snowboarding, ice skating and tobogganing are some of the most fun you can have in a winter wonderland.

But without protection from the cold temperatures in the form of a winter coat, hat, gloves and boots, our bodies would not function properly, and could be permanently damaged after extended exposure to the elements. Here we discuss some common, and potentially life threatening cold related injuries.

HYPOTHERMIA

  • Hypothermia occurs when you have an abnormally low core body temperature
  • Normal body temperature is around 37°C (98.6°F)
  • Hypothermia is defined as a drop in body temperature below 35°C (95°F)
  • When the body becomes extremely cold, all physiological systems begin to slow down – eventually to the point that threatens survival

FROSTBITE

  • Frostbite occurs when a part of the body actually freeze
  • Mild frostbite doesn’t leave lasting damage, but severe frostbite does cause permanent damage and may even require amputation of a body part

 DID YOU KNOW?

  • In some rare cases, hypothermia can save lives. There are cases where children who have fallen into freezing water were successfully revived even when there was no heartbeat. Their below-normal temperature slowed down their brain function and caused their bodies to use less oxygen
  • Smokers and people with diabetes and other circulatory problems have a higher risk of developing frostbite

CAUSES

  • Although mainly associated with cold weather, hypothermia can also strike when it is relatively warm, especially in damp, windy and raining conditions
  • Hypothermia is also common in drowning victims due to cold water causing rapid decreases in body temperature; all lakes, streams, rivers and oceans in Canada, during any season, can be considered “cold” – cold enough to trigger hypothermia
  • Not dressing appropriately for the cold weather/the activity you are doing
  • Falling through ice
  • Frostbite generally starts with exposed skin on the tips of the nose, ears, cheeks and fingers but it can creep into the toes, feet, hands and face as a person remains exposed to the cold

PREVENTION

  • Dress appropriately for the weather/activity you are doing
  • Wear a hat, gloves, warm socks, boots and a warm winter coat
  • Stay safe using the “buddy system” to check on one another
  • Stay dry
  • Eat high energy food (eg. Nuts, dried fruit)
  • Drink plenty of non-caffeinated, alcohol-free liquids
  • Keep your body moving to create heat
  • If you believe someone may be suffering from frostbite, be mindful for little white spots on the face (check every 10 to 15 minutes)
  • Also, pay attention to how your feet (or other susceptible body parts) are feeling
  • If you are unsure of the thickness of the ice, STAY OFF THE LAKE!