September 9^th is World First-Aid Day. At CHATS, our Vision is that older adults live best at home and in their communities. That vision wouldn’t be complete without your safety in mind. We all know we should have a first aid kit at home, but the reality is, most of us don’t.

We might have some basic bandages and maybe some antibiotic ointment which is great if you get a little cut while chopping vegetables for dinner, but in a bigger emergency, you might need more. If you’re thinking of upgrading your first-aid supplies, you have a couple of options. Most pharmacies carry pre-packed first-aid kits that come in their own little plastic or zippered cases. This is convenient, easy to store and it takes the guess work out of what you should put inside. The other option is to build your own!

If you’d like to build your own, here is a handy checklist based on The Red Cross’ recommendations for what you can consider including: First Aid Kit checklist.pdf

The Government of Canada also recommends that everyone consider having a 72-hour emergency kit! You may remember the Northeast Blackout of 2003? The blackout lasted for up to 4 days in some areas, leaving people without power for an extended period. A 72-hour kit will have first-aid supplies, but it will also contain things like water, batteries, a radio, flashlights and emergency food. They also recommend you keep a small amount of cash, copies of IDs and a few days worth of essential medications. 

If you’d like to build your own, here is a checklist based on The Government of Canada’s emergency kit recommendations: 72 hour emergency kit.pdf

For both Emergency & First-Aid Kits, don’t forget to keep things current! First-Aid Kits and Emergency Kits should be checked annually to replace expired product, or update medications.

Being prepared in the event of an emergency is important. Nobody ever regrets being prepared. There are also things you can do to go beyond kits to prepare for emergencies, like having basic first-aid and CPR skills! Taking a first-aid course may take a day or two of your time, but in the event of an emergency, it could mean that you know what to do help someone! There are lots of local organizations that provide CPR and First-Aid training.

If you’d like to see who Red Cross has partnered with to provide First-Aid and CPR certifications near you, you can find it here: Home – My Red Cross

Are you an older adult in York Region or South Simcoe County, looking for support? CHATS can help! Reach out at seniorshelp@chats.on.ca or call 1-877-452-4287