It’s countdown time, as we get closer to kicking off a New Year AND a new decade! We always have the best intentions with new years’ resolutions, but more often than not, they’re tough to keep.
Let's start this year – and this decade with an action plan of 20 items to do in 2020 to make life a little safer, better prepared, and even little more fun!
January
- Know your risks – Emergencies such as floods and house fires can happen to anyone at any time. Take the time at the beginning of the year to figure out the risks in your region or home, so that you can take steps to prepare yourself and your family, and to minimize damage. Get tips and assess the risks in your community.
- Make a Plan – Now that you know the risks, it’s time to make your plan to deal with the emergencies that could come your way. It’s important to ensure that your entire family is prepared and informed in the case of emergency. Get prepared and make sure you’ve thought of everything.
- Pack your Winter Home Emergency Kit – Based on what you’ve determined to be your risks, part of your plan should include packing your emergency preparedness kit. Make sure you have the supplies you need to be self-sustaining for at least 72 hours. A checklist will help make sure you’re covered!
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February
- Prepare your home for floods - When it comes to being prepared, a bit of thought and a bit of time can make all the difference during flood season. Get an action plan to prepare your home before a flood happens.
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March
- Download the Red Cross BeReady App – With flooding season just around the corner, another easy way to prepare is by downloading the Red Cross BeReady App. It’s FREE and is full of helpful information and tips of what to do before, during, and after emergencies. You can even sign up for weather alerts in your area.
- Take a First Aid Course - The Canadian Red Cross is a leading provider of first aid, water safety, health and wellness programs and has been offering training to Canadians for over 70 years. Find a course in your area. You can also download the Red Cross First Aid App to supplement your training.
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April
- Sign up for Red Cross Swim Class – It’s always a good time of year to think about water safety. The Canadian Red Cross offers comprehensive learn-to-swim programs for all ages as well as national lifeguard training to certify professional lifeguards. Find out more about our courses near you.
- Volunteer – Volunteers are the backbone of our organization, and we wouldn’t be able to carry out the work we do without them. Why not look into volunteering with the Red Cross during National Volunteer Week?
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May
- Take a Psychological First Aid Course – Mental health is in the spotlight this month. Why not consider taking a psychological first aid course so that you can identify signs of distress and and even learn personal coping mechanisms?
- Take a wellness day – Spring is in the air. Put your psychological first aid training into practice and take a day for yourself to get out an enjoy the sunshine and flowers. A little self-care can go a long way when it comes to your mental health.
- Check your Lifejackets – National Lifejacket Day is May 14th. Every year, 161 Canadians drown while boating. Of these, 87 per cent are not wearing a lifejacket or do not have it properly secured. Take some time to make sure your lifejackets are in good condition and replace them if necessary. Get tips to ensure proper fit.
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June
- Take a Wilderness First Aid course – The time of year when we enjoy camping and so many other outdoor activities is just around the corner. Take a wilderness first aid course offered by the Canadian Red Cross to be prepared for wilderness or remote health emergencies.
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July
- Brush up on Boating Safety – Boating can be a highlight of summer fun, but accidents and emergencies can happen on the water. Have your emergency kit packed for the water and take the steps to be prepared with boating and water safety tips.
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August
- Know the signs of heat stroke/heat exhaustion – It is important for everyone enjoying the outdoors to know how to prevent heat emergencies, recognize when someone has been in the heat for too long, and be able to provide help when needed. Learn to identify the signs and what to do in the case of emergency.
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September
- Locate your First Aid Kit and AED at work – It’s back to school and back to work for many. In case of emergency, every minute counts. Familiarize yourself with the location of your work place’s first aid kit and AED.
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October
- Pack your Vehicle Emergency Kit – Winter weather is just around the corner and storms can hit at any time. Best to be prepared with your packed vehicle emergency kit. A preparedness checklist will help you figure out what to include.
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November
- Get CPR Certified – It’s CPR Month. Know the steps and get CPR Certified. You could save the life of someone you love.
- Refresh supplies – The Red Cross responds to emergencies big and small across Canada every three hours. At this time of year when we “fall back” with our clocks, be sure to be prepared by changing the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and refreshing the supplies (batteries, food) in your emergency preparedness kits.
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December
- Winter Safety - With temperatures dropping from coast-to-coast, there are a host of considerations when it comes to staying safe outdoors. Know the signs of frostbite and hypothermia, and be sure to keep ice safety top of mind.
- Connect with someone in your community – The holidays can be a difficult time of year for many. Social isolation can be a predominant issue, particularly among senior citizens. Think about checking in on someone who might be alone and see how the Red Cross helps in your community.
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