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Latest Posts

The Halifax Explosion: birth of Canadian Red Cross disaster response

In 1917, Halifax, Nova Scotia, was a bustling port and major hub for Canada's First World War effort. Its deep and ice-free harbour is closer to Europe than most on the Atlantic coast of North America and tens of thousands of Canadian, other British Empire and American troops and a steady stream of ships loaded with wartime supplies passed through Halifax to or from Europe.
 
On December 6, the deadliest disaster in Canadian history occurred.

Electric shock drowning: what is it and how to prevent it

​Electric shock drowning is relatively new given the rise of power-driven docks in recent decades but its consequences can be severe; it’s important to consider safety when around water and electricity. Electric shock could happen when electric current leaks into the surrounding body of water, causing the water to become energized.

Safety tips to treat and prevent sunburn

Kids can be great fun – highly entertaining in their vigour and love of life, especially as active as they are in these summer months. However, sunburned kids are no fun for anyone. If a child in your care gets sunburned, he or she will let his or her displeasure known so it’s best to prevent them. Overall, it’s best to prevent sunburn for anyone as its side effects and consequences can be serious.

Tips for new homeowners

Moving homes is always a daunting task with many details to remember, organize or update. Whether you’re moving into a new house or renting an apartment, the task of packing and moving is challenging enough, so make it easier with these tips.

Training the trainers in first aid for the body and mind

Sometimes first aid means checking an unresponsive patient’s airway, breathing and circulation. Sometimes it means recognizing the symptoms that could lead to self harm, or supporting someone through a panic attack.
“We always say if someone is hurt, we can help them,” says Diane Story, who has been a first aid educator at the Red Cross for almost 40 years, adding that this doesn’t always mean physically. “Sometimes they are hurt in a different way.”

What to do if someone is experiencing a stroke

When a health emergency happens to someone in your presence, it can be overwhelming on many levels. It can be quite shocking to witness someone choking, having a heart attack or diabetic emergency. Everyday emergencies can include broken bones, bleeding, burns, allergic reactions, and seizures to name a few. However, to help improve your ability to help in such an emergency, it helps to be prepared with first aid – this knowledge could help you save someone’s life!

Learning to be a Red Cross communications aid worker

Communications aid workers do a bunch of things, but their main purpose is to help make sure people have the information they need when disasters or emergencies hit. Recently, a group of future communications aid workers, myself included, got to attend a training session in Ottawa. 

Calling all youth: be prepared with Stay Safe!

Aiming to give youth important first aid and injury prevention skills, the Canadian Red Cross has updated its Youth program to give youth greater confidence in caring for themselves and others. Stay Safe! is a new course designed for youth aged 9 to 13 years, in order to provide skills and knowledge to increase their confidence in staying safe on their own.

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About The Blog

The purpose of this blog, quite simply, is to talk. This blog is an opportunity for Red Cross staff, volunteers, supporters and friends to share stories about what is happening in your community and the important work you are doing. It is a tool that will help keep all of us connected.

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