Each year in the month of February, the United States government recognizes national Heart Month as a time to raise awareness about heart health and cardiovascular disease. This month is a good time to reflect on how well-prepared you and your loved ones are in case of an emergency like cardiac arrest. Heart Health Facts Each year, the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation offers a summary of the annual report titled Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2022 Update. Focusing on OHCA arrest, just a few of the latest statistics from the report show: The majority of OHCA’s occur at a home or residenc ..read more

Active violence events can happen anywhere, including during community celebrations. Although this should be a time for enjoying yourself and your loved ones, it can also be a source of anxiety for many. Fortunately, we can prepare for the unknown by increasing situational awareness in public places. This includes: Being attentive to your surroundings. Identifying possible threats. Formulating a plan of action. Being ready to act if danger occurs. If you’re attending a community celebration or public event, think about the nearest entrance and exit points relative to your location and note ..read more

The holiday season is upon us with plenty to celebrate among friends and family. Here are some simply holiday safety tips to help keep your family safe when traveling and at home. Reduce fire hazards by taking precautions when cooking, using a live Christmas tree, and decorating with holiday lights and candles. Avoid food poisoning by handling and storing food safely. Prepare for winter road conditions and increased traffic when traveling during the holidays. Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Take a CPR, AED and First Aid training class near you. Check out the HSI Emergency Ca ..read more

High-quality chest compressions are the foundation of high-quality CPR, which is the primary influence on survival from cardiac arrest. These external compressions directly compress the heart, forcing blood to move from the chest to the lungs, heart, brain, and the rest of the body. Therefore, it’s important to know how to position your hands for CPR. Here’s a brief overview of how and where to place your hands, as well as how hard and how fast to compress the chest. Action Adult Child Infant Compression Technique 2 Hands 1 or 2 Hands 2 Fingers, 2-Thumb Encircling-Hands, Heel of One Ha ..read more

High-quality CPR improves the chances of surviving a cardiac arrest emergency. But many people are confused whether rescue breaths are necessary during CPR. The simplest way to combat confusing messaging about rescue breaths is as follows: For certified lay providers, rescue breaths are a critical component of performing CPR. As Instructors, conventional CPR should always be taught with rescue breaths to increase the chance of survival. For the untrained lay provider, the option to perform compression-only CPR helps to eliminate hesitation or unwillingness to provide care ..read more

Natural disasters and medical emergencies can be traumatic for children of all ages. By preparing for common situations ahead of time, you can help reduce fear and give your child the confidence to respond before, during and after an emergency. Calmly talk with your children about prepping for natural disasters and other emergency situations. Provide a realistic picture with action steps your child can take to stay safe. Use disaster preparedness online resources specific to your child’s emotional needs and age to help illustrate what to do in case of an emergency. Contact your children’s sc ..read more

Is it safe to perform CPR and use an AED on a pregnant person? This is a common question for many bystanders as they might feel hesitant to intervene out of fear of harming the baby or mother. However, without providing these life-saving measures, the mother and the baby will likely not survive. Therefore, you should act quickly. Don’t delay chest compressions or defibrillation for a pregnant person. Call 911.Let the call-taker know the person is pregnant. Start immediate CPR.If you aren’t trained, give compression-only CPR by pushing hard and fast at the center of the chest ..read more

Sprains heal more quickly with the right care. But in the moment, it can be challenging to remember whether to use ice or heat to immediately treat a sprain. Cold application decreases bleeding, swelling, pain and disability associated with bone, joint and muscle injuries. Therefore, you’ll want to cool the sprained area immediately by: Using a plastic bag filed with a mixture of ice and water. Placing a barrier (e.g. thin towel) between the plastic bag and skin. Limiting each cold application to no more than 20 minutes. Check out the HSI Emergency Care blog for more information about first ..read more

Splash pads provide a great way to escape the heat without committing to a day at the pool or a big water park. But due to their design, they aren’t always regulated, nor do they always require the water be properly disinfected. To help families stay safe and well, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides the following splash pad safety tips: Have children shower before getting in the water. Stay out of the water if you’re sick with diarrhea. Take kids on bathroom breaks and check diapers every hour. Note that swim diapers don’t stop germs, poop or pee from getting in th ..read more

Calling for help can be overwhelming for young children, so it’s important to take the time to teach your child how and when to call 911. Be sure to: Clearly define what an emergency is and isn’t. Give real examples of when to call 911, such as during a fire or when a family member is having a medical emergency. Show your child how to use the different phones available to them. Have your child practice using a cell phone versus a landline. Go over important information that needs to be given to the call taker. This includes your home address, first and last names of each family member and th ..read more