In a country that borders on three oceans and spans six time zones, creating an emergency response system that works for every region is a huge challenge. That’s why emergency management in Canada is a shared responsibility. That means everyone has an important role to play, including individuals, communities, governments, the private sector and volunteer […]
Roughly 5,000 earthquakes are recorded in Canada every year. The worldwide cost of natural disasters has skyrocketed from $2 billion in the 1980s, to $27 billion over the past decade. Canada’s first billion dollar disaster, the Saguenay flood of 1996, triggered a surge of water, rocks, trees and mud that forced 12,000 residents to evacuate […]
As a new parent, you want to do the best for your baby. You may feel a push towards products that are labelled “natural”, “organic”, and “non-GMO”, but when it comes to sugars and sweeteners, a natural alternative might not be best. In Canada, honey has been linked to cases of infantile botulism. Infantile botulism […]
Food poisoning (also known as foodborne illness or food-related illness) happens when a person gets sick from eating food that has been contaminated by bacteria, viruses or parasites . Learn more about exactly what bacteria can cause food poisoning here. Because of all the changes happening in your body, you and your unborn babies are […]
If someone you knew had a seizure, would you know how to help? Seizures can be frightening to see, but it is easy to care for a person who is having a seizure. However, most seizures only last a few minutes and the person usually recovers fully without any complications. Signs & Symptoms Common signs […]
About 4 people a day die of illicit drug overdoses in BC – more than suicides, homicides and vehicle deaths combined. This number is staggering, and we wanted to help. Now we can proudly say that Alert First Aid is a registered Take Home Naloxone site! This means that we are now able to provide […]
We rely on technology more and more to keep in touch with our family, friends, and colleagues with a click of a button. But what happens in the event of a major emergency? Suddenly these tools can become vital in helping you and your family deal get in touch and stay informed. So here are […]
If your car was sinking in a lake, ocean or river, or was submerged in a flood, would you know how to get out? The first 30 seconds are so important. Act fast – unbuckle your seatbelts as soon as possible, and escape through the front window (even if you’re in the backseat – the […]
Good Samaritan laws are in place to protect first aiders from financial liability. The government has designed these laws to encourage bystanders to provide first aid in emergency situations. These laws assume that a first aider will do their best to save a life or prevent further injury. They require the first aider to use […]
Well, it’s February and winter finally hit Victoria. With our normally very temperate weather, it’s not often that we think about cold-related illnesses, but here’s a crash course for you. Cold-related illnesses are any conditions caused by exposure to colder temperatures. Some are less severe (like superficial frostbite) and some are life-threatening (hypothermia). Frostbite Frostbite […]
