The sun is shining and school is almost out for summer! Are you ready for it?

The summer months often feel short here in Canada. It is no surprise that everyone tries to make the most of the warm weather while we’ve got it! Many of us fill our summer days with outdoor activities: bike rides, trips to the beach, backyard pool parties and barbeques, not to mention countless DIY and construction projects that can only be completed when the weather is warm. There is so much to do in the summer and endless fun to be had! BUT fun times can turn into hospital trips at the drop of a hat when something unexpected happens.

Here are Rescue Aides’ top 4 key reminders as we head into the summer season:

1. Don’t tune out the safety messages, reminders, and warning signs no matter how many times you see and hear them. There are many reminders on repeat (stay hydrated, protect yourself from the sun and heat, and don’t drink and drive etc.). These safety reminders are everywhere for a good reason! Be intentional about staying safe this summer. Be an advocate for creating safe habits amongst your family and friends and keep each other accountable so that everyone can enjoy summer safely.
2. If you’re not trained in First Aid, register for a course today. Accidents happen when you least expect them to. You never know when being certified in first aid may save a life.
3. Be safe when you are on, in, or around the water. The 2023 Maritime Drowning Report prepared by the Drowning Prevention Research Centre Canada shows that 65% of all fatal drowning incidents that occurred in the Maritimes between 2015 and 2019 took place between the months of May and September. 47% of these incidents involved boating. Wear your lifejacket, don’t drink alcohol before going swimming or boating, and avoid going out on the water alone – even if you’ve got lots of experience. Swim in designated zones with lifeguard supervision and keep your kids within arms-reach when you are at the beach or at the pool.
4. Think of visibility when you purchase lifejackets and swimsuits. Avoid dark colours that would make you (or your loved ones) hard to see in the water if something were to go wrong. Bright red, yellow, orange, and pink are all great choices for both indoor and outdoor settings!

Overall, be prepared and make safety a priority as you enjoy all the fun that summer has to offer. As we know, it won’t be too much longer before the leaves start to fall and winter is back on our doorstep.

Have a spectacular summer!

Emma & Sebastien