Christmas safety tips

During the holidays, just about everything becomes busier with the hustle and bustle of people—including local emergency departments.

Emergency services at our hospitals are available 24 hours a day; however, at times they may be very busy. Service is not delivered on a first-come first-served basis; instead, a triage system is used to ensure patients requiring the most urgent care are attended to first.

Here are some of Vancouver Coastal Health’s Christmas safety tips to keep you and your family healthy, and out of the hospital:

• Ensure your prescriptions will last through to the New Year.

• Call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 (7-1-1 for hearing impaired) for confidential health information and non-emergency services 24-hours a day, seven days a week. You can also access the service online at healthlinkbc.ca.

• If you experience life-threatening injuries or illnesses such as trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, heart attack or stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately.

• Know the difference between flu, the common cold and norovirus, and what you should do in each case

• Take a few simple steps to prevent falls this winter—slow down, wear shoes with traction and give a helping hand to anyone who needs help navigating a slippery sidewalk or parking lot.

• Keep an eye out for elderly neighbours and family,   ensuring their home is warm and that they have adequate food and medications over the holiday season. Be sure to check in on them regularly.  Submitted