St. John Ambulance Knows a Little Prevention Can Make for a Safe Getaway
September 3, 2010 (Toronto, ON) – As people across Ontario get ready for the Labour Day weekend, St. John Ambulance wants to remind everyone that a little bit of prevention can go along way. This year before you hit the road for your long weekend getaway, plan for a safe trip.
- Leave Yourself Plenty of Time: The majority of fatal roadway accidents occur at high speeds so please take your time, and remain alert whenever you are behind the wheel.
- Drink Responsibly: Alcohol can severely impair your judgment and reaction time so please drink sensibly and never drink and drive.
- Take a Break: It’s great to enjoy a long drive on a sunny day, but that gentle warmth can make you pretty sleepy. If you feel yourself starting to dose take a break from driving, let someone else take over or enjoy a break in a rest area.
- Plan for Extreme Heat: When spending a day outside make sure to bring lots of water to avoid heat related illness. Also, check conditions first if you’re heading to the beach and plan an alternative activity to swimming when bacteria levels may make it unsafe to go in the water.
- Don’t Forget Your Medication: If you’re traveling overnight or distances make sure to pack extra medications (if required) in case you are delayed, lose or misplace your medication. Also, if you are traveling with someone who has a severe allergy it’s a good idea to pack additional Epi-pens.
- Know Your Route and Check In: If you’re exploring the vast beauty of the Ontario Wilderness, familiarize yourself with the trails you are taking. Make sure they are suitable for you or your group’s physical fitness and understand the potential hazards you may encounter. Also, be sure to let someone else know your destination, the trails you are taking and how long you will be gone. This way if you get lost rescuers have a better idea of where to find you.
- Take a First Aid Kit: Despite all of your careful planning, accidents do happen. Make sure to have a fully stocked first aid kit with you wherever you go to take care of you and your loved ones.
For over 125 years, St. John Ambulance has been training over 140,000 Ontarians annually in first aid and other health care related courses and remains dedicated to saving lives at work, home and play. With over 4,000 volunteers contributing over half a million hours of community service a year, St. John Ambulance is an integral part of the community offering such unique and innovative programs as: medical first response, disaster response, car seat clinics, health and safety related youth programs and therapy dog services. As a charitable, humanitarian organization, proceeds from St. John Ambulance’s first aid training and first aid product sales directly support these vital community services programs. For more information on St. John Ambulance training courses and volunteer opportunities or to contact your local branch, visit
www.sja.ca/on