First Aid Tip of the Month

This month we are placing tips on how to stay safe when driving.

Slow and steady. Don't speed, leave yourself plenty of time to get where you have to go. The faster you go the more space you need to stop and the less time you have to react - not to mention a larger fine.

Do not drive impaired. Don’t drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (illegal or not). Avoid driving if you are overly tired, take a break and wait till you feel alert and refreshed.

Room to breathe. Leave yourself plenty of space between cars. The more room you have the better your chances of stopping safely.

Stay focused. Between excited kids, anxious pets, cell phones, traffic reports, other drivers and restless passengers, it's easy to get distracted when you're driving but stay focused. Stay off the cell phone (it's illegal after all).

Encourage kids to take a nap or enjoy a quiet activity. Let your front seat passenger be in charge of the radio and your cell phone. Just keep your focus where it belongs - on the road.

Buckle up baby. Make sure everyone in your vehicle is wearing their seat belt, and that infants and children are in the proper car seat/booster seat. Seat belts save lives and reduce injury but only if you wear them properly.

Sit Spot sit. Don't forget to buckle up your pet(s), whether he has his own seatbelt or travels in a secured crate, pets travel safer when restrained. Loose, sudden braking can throw your pet(s) from the vehicle, and in your lap your pet(s) can be killed by an airbag if you're involved in a collision.

Secure your load. Make sure items in your vehicle, on the roof or being towed are secured so they don’t get loose and cause injury to people in your car or on the road.

Make way for sirens. If on your journey you should pass an emergency service vehicle pulled over to the side of the road/highway make sure to slow down and move over. This is for the safety of the Emergency Service personnel who may be working on the side of the road and it’s the law. Drivers that fail to move to the next lane can be fined, or receive demerit points on their license.

Keep a kit. Whenever you are in your car you should have an emergency kit and first aid kit handy. Even though the Labour Day long weekend isn't known for snow storms you can still find yourself stranded in a remote area or at the scene of an accident. Make sure to have lots of water, food and clothes in case the temperature drops. Also make sure to keep a comfortable pair of shoes in case you have to walk.

An accident is defined as something that is unpredictable, something we have no control over. Research indicates that 90 per cent of injuries are predictable and preventable. St. John Ambulance uses the word "incident" to describe how someone gets injured, because accidents can be prevented through safety sense.