Emergency Info

Hot Tip for Emergency Prep!

Make a medications/conditions list ready and post it on your refrigerator for 911 and have a copy in your wallet  

• Here are examples in pdf, doc, rtf formats that you can use and print.

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Emergencies

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In an Emergency

• Know when/who to call for help, and when it is more serious than a family/friend should manage with you
• 911 - Fire, Police, Ambulance (about 911​)
• 811 - Nursing Hotline (about 811)​
• Voyent Alert app on phone
• BC Provincial Emergency Alert info
• Get Prepared - Canada.ca resources

Get Ready for Emergencies

• Keep your vehicle fuelled up and seasonally ready.
• ​Be ready to leave - have some cash on hand, fuel in car, cell phone charged,  to-go kit ready.
• Be ready to stay - Emergency supplies for home (BC list, CA list)

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•  Memorize or have a list in your wallet of your important contact numbers in case you have to call from another phone.
• "Voyent Alert!" add the app to your cell phone with notifications for locations you want to monitor  (e.g. Merritt, TNRD) 
• GetPrepared.ca - emergency preparedness
• BC Provincial Emergency Alert info
• How to Prepare for Natural Disasters and Evacuation (seniors or anyone!)
• Community Policing - local info
• Medical Info Summary sheet (sample as pdf, doc, rtf )
  • post on fridge for 911 calls
  • purse/wallet 
• ICE your phone (In Case of Emergency, call ___)
• keep immunizations updated (shingles, flu, hepatitis, etc.)
• MedicAlert bracelet 
• GPS device or online map app for cell phone that works without cell service (e.g. Avenza, or similar) 
• Smoke Alarms - user tips info article 

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 Safety Resources

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Health care services

• BC Covid assessment tools​
•  Interior Health online lab booking
•  Getting a doctor in the Nicola Valley:
      - phone clinics monthly to check on waitlist
      - check BC College of Physicians 
      -Conayt Friendship  nurse-practitioner 
      - Telus Health Virtual Care 
• BC Surgical Wait Times
• Air quality:
  • furnace filters,
  • C02 detector, 
  • Merritt Air Quality station 
• Smoke & fire alarms (info)
• Radon monitor (info)
• TNRD Library has safety items to loan (radon detector, thermal imaging camera for heat leaks

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Specific Health Emergency Topics​  

• Drug interactions checker
• Diabetes​ emergencies
  • When to go to ER for diabetes
  • WebMD diabetic emergencie 
• Ticks / Lyme diseases 
• Bats and Rabies
• Construction work safety​

Mental Health Resources

• The Canadian Mental Health Association has a 24-hour helpline: 1-833- 456-4566 
• Klinic Crisis Line 1-888-322-3019 
• Crisis Line Association of BC
• 1-800SUICIDE (24 hours): 1-800-784-2433
• Mental Health Support (24 hours): 310-6789
• Mental Health Conditions info
• Ask Wellness​
• BC Health Link
• Red Cross​​

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Health Resilience

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Keep Good Health records

• My Health Portal - your personal health records online (register to access)

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• Make a medications/conditions list ready and post it on your refrigerator for 911 and have a copy in your wallet  
  • examples as pdf, doc, rtf  
• Your health records may not be immediately available to ER, or to other health regions, or when you change doctors or are traveling.  Have your own health summary ready.
•  Keep a folder for personal "Health" information - copies of reports, surgeries, test results, etc.​ 
• Knowledge is the Best Medicine - about medications and keeping a record

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Covid:

• BC - book a vaccine or booster appointment
• NIA Covid Risk calculator

Good  Sources for General Health topics

• Mayo Clinic health info
• National Institute of Health (US medical research)
• Medline Plus health info
• Health Canada​

Being Ready for the Unexpected  by Eric Rhoads