Tips for a Happy (and Safe) Holiday

This truly is the most wonderful time of the year. Time to let food, revelry, presents and merriment meld into another happy holiday. And while you are preparing holiday memories that will last forever.  Everyone here at the Mid Coast Chapter wishes you a happy and safe holiday season and we encourage you to use these Red Cross tips as your guide:

• Be a lifesaver during the holidays and always. The Red Cross recommends at least one person in every household should be trained and certified in first aid and CPR/AED. Your Mid Coast Chapter has conveniently scheduled these courses for you. A complete list of upcoming trainings can be found on our website's Calendar page.
• Don’t move a muscle until they buckle. Each person in your vehicle should have their seatbelts securely fastened before driving off. Ensure children are buckled up and their car seats are installed appropriately based on their age and size. Children 12 and under should always sit in the backseat.
• Make sure your sitter’s safe. Babysitters are at a premium during the holidays but you still want to make sure you are leaving your little ones in capable hands. Look for a sitter that is Red Cross certified. Red Cross sitters are trained in basic care, how to spot an emergency, safe play, first aid and some are certified in CPR. If your favorite sitter is not Red Cross trained, there is still time before the office party. Consider giving her or him a gift certificate to one of our Babysitter Trainings as an early present.
• Be the life of the party and designate a driver. When you designate a sober driver you help make sure a good party isn’t marred by tragedy. A good host ensures there are non-alcoholic beverages available for drivers. The designated driver should not drink any alcoholic beverages, not even one.
• Declare the kitchen a safety zone. Keep the kitchen off-limits to children while cooking. Turn pot handles inside and keep hot pans away from counter edges. Help prevent choking by making sure children don’t walk, run, play or talk with food in their mouths.
• Remember “five-and-five” for choking. If the person is conscious and cannot cough, speak or breathe, ask them if they are choking and if you can help them. Once you have consent to help, remember, give them “five-and-five”. Lean the person forward and give five sharp back blows between the shoulder blades. If the object does not dislodge give five quick abdominal thrusts. Continue the cycle of back blows and abdominal thrusts until the person can breathe or cough forcefully, the object is dislodged or the person becomes unconscious. If the person becomes unconscious call 9-1-1 or local emergency number right away. For more information on the new five-and-five procedure for choking, contact Ray Michaud, our Director of Health and Safety Services.  
• Unwrap it then trash it. Once the gifts are unwrapped, immediately discard all plastic wrappings, rubber bands and small objects children and pets can put in their mouth and choke on.

If you are looking for unique gift giving ideas, the Mid Coast Chapter is the perfect place to find items that may save the life of a friend, neighbor or loved one!  Please call or stop by the Mid Coast Chapter to purchase gift certificates for CPR, First Aid, and Babysitting Training, as well as a variety of First Aid Kits and other health and safety supplies.

Happy Holidays!