August 2008

STROKE WARNING SIGNS

From the Heart & Stroke Foundation
www.heartandstroke.ca
1-888-HSF INFO

Learn to recognize the warning signs of stroke and act quickly. It can mean the difference between surviving a stroke and minimizing long-term physical and mental disability. The longer blood flow to the brain is cut off, the greater damage. Time lost is brain lost!

Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.

WEAKNESS
Sudden loss of strength or sudden numbness in the face, arm or leg, even if temporary.

TROUBLE SPEAKING
Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding or sudden confusion, even if temporary.

VISION PROBLEMS
Sudden trouble with vision, even if temporary.

HEADACHE
Sudden severe and unusual headache.

DIZZINESS
Sudden loss of balance, especially with any of the above signs.

 

 

July 2007

ICE program being promoted for emergencies

Tue, 2007-07-03 19:09.

Justine Lewkowicz

Not many people in Toronto have heard about the ICE (In Case of Emergency) program, which requires people to program the phone number of their next of kin into their cellular phones, for the use of paramedics, doctors and police officers. But many say it is a great idea that should be promoted more.

The purpose of it is to allow the emergency services officers to more easily get in contact with your family for medical information. If you are unconscious, paramedics can take out your cell phone, find ICE on the contacts list and call the number.

Mike Neill, deputy chief for program development at Toronto EMS, says it is a simple concept that is on their list of important items this summer.

"It's a no cost way to protect yourself, at least provide an option for people to get additional information," Neill said. "And you decide what that number is, who that person is that we would call."

Neill says that Toronto EMS will be handing out brochures, putting up posters and adding information online this summer to try to get everyone on board.

David Ralph, manager of community safeguard services at Toronto EMS, says that having the easy access to information when needed has many benefits.

"If you have an underlying medical problem that can't be identified because you can't speak it to us," Ralph said, "we might be able to assist the hospital in getting in contact with a relative who could tell us about your medical history and any allergies that you might have."

Of the many people who like the concept and say they would add ICE to their cellular phone, Margaret says she wishes she had heard about the program earlier.

"My son had an accident one time, and if he had the number programmed into his cellphone somebody could have gotten in touch with me to let me know," Margaret said. "I didn't know for a long time afterwards until he was able to come to and phone me from the hospital."

July 2006
Check out the travel section on "Travel Insurance".

July 2006

This is a great safety tip, if you own a car that has the remote electric locking system and alarm. This one is worth passing around to your friends & family.    

Next time you come home for the night and you to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation.

Start keeping your car keys next to your bed on the night stand when you go to bed at night. If you think someone is trying to get into your house, or if you hear a noise outside your house, just press the panic alarm on your car key chain.

Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage.

If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break in your house, odds are the burglar or rapist won't stick around...... after a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that.

Try yours to make sure it works before you rely on it.

Just know that you must press the alarm button again to turn it off. And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there.

This is something that should really be shared with everyone.

Maybe it could save a life or a sexual abuse crime.

*************************************************

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

A true story. Susie is recouping at an incredible pace for someone with a massive stroke all because Sherry saw Susie stumble --that is the key that isn't  mentioned below - and then she asked Susie the 3 questions. So simple - - this literally saved Susie's life - - Some angel sent it to Suzie's friend and they did just what it said to do. Suzie failed all three so 911 was  called. Even though she had normal blood pressure readings and did not appear to  be having a stroke as she could converse to some extent with the Paramedics they  took her to the hospital right away. Thank God for the sense to remember the 3 steps! Read and Learn!  Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately,  the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer brain  damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking these three simple questions: 

*Ask the individual to SMILE.

*Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

*Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (i.e., It is sunny out today)

If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 9-1-1 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher. After discovering that a group of non-medical volunteers could identify facial weakness, arm weakness and speech problems, researchers urged the general public to learn the three questions. They presented their conclusions at the American Stroke Association's annual meeting last February. Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage.  A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10  people, you can bet that at least one life will be saved. 

BE A FRIEND AND SHARE THIS ARTICLE WITH AS MANY FRIENDS AS POSSIBLE, it could save their lives.
 

A very useful tip

Here are a couple of warnings that you may want to make note of or pass on to your friends.

You walk across the parking lot, unlock your car and get inside, after first checking the backseat… just in case.

Then you lock all your doors, start the engine and shift into REVERSE.  You look into the rear-view mirror to back out of your parking space and you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window. So, you shift into PARK, unlock your doors and jump out of your car to remove that paper (or whatever it is) that is obstructing your view.

 When you walk around to the back of your car, that is when car-jackers appear out of nowhere, jump into your car and take off.

Your engine was running, your purse or wallet is in the car and the car-jackers practically mow you down as they speed off in your own automobile.

BE AWARE OF THIS NEW SCHEME THAT IS NOW BEING USED TO STEAL YOUR CAR, YOUR IDENTITY AND POSSIBLY THE CONTENTS OF YOUR HOME OR OFFICE.

Just drive away and remove the paper that is stuck to your window LATER, and be thankful that you read this email.

I hope you will forward this to friends and family especially to women!

A purse contains all your identification, and you certainly do NOT want someone getting your home address. They already HAVE your keys and your car!!!!!

CREDIT CARDS SCENE 1

A friend went to the local gym and placed his belongings in the locker. After the workout and a shower, he came out, saw the locker open, and thought to himself, "Funny, I thought I locked the locker. Hmmmmm."

He dressed and just flipped the wallet to make sure all was in order. Everything looked okay - all cards were in place. A few weeks later his credit card bill came - a whooping bill of $14.000! He called the credit card company and started yelling at them, saying that he did not make the transactions. Customer care personnel verified that there was no mistake in the system and asked if his card had been stolen. "No," he said, but then took out his wallet, pulled out the credit card, and yep - you guessed it -
a switch had been made. An expired similar credit card from the same bank was in the wallet. The thief broke into his locker at the gym and switched cards.

Verdict: The credit card issuer said since he did not report the card missing earlier, he would have to pay the amount owed to them.

How much did he have to pay for items he did not buy? $9,000!
Why were there no calls made to verify the amount swiped?
Small amounts rarely trigger a "warning bell" with some credit card companies.
It just so happens that all the small amounts added up to big one!

SCENE 2
A man at a local restaurant paid for his meal with his credit card. The bill for the meal came, he signed it, and the waitress folded the receipt and passed the credit card along. Usually, he would just take it and place it in his wallet or pocket.

Funny enough, though, he actually took a look at the card and, lo and behold, it was the expired card of another person. He called the waitress and she looked perplexed. She took it back, apologized, and hurried back to the counter under the watchful eye of the man. All the waitress did while walking to the counter was wave the wrong expired card to the counter cashier, and the counter cashier immediately looked down and took out the real card. No exchange of words - thing! She took it and came back to the man with an apology. Verdict: Make sure the credit cards in your wallet at yours.

Check the name on the card every time you sign for something and/or the card is taken away for even a short period of time. Many people just take back the credit card without even looking at it, thinking that it has to be theirs.

FOR YOUR OWN SAKE, DEVELOP THE HABIT OF CHECKING YOUR CREDIT CARD EACH TIME IT IS RETURNED TO YOU AFTER A TRANSACTION!

SCENE 3
Yesterday I went into a pizza restaurant to pick up an order that I had called in. I paid by using my Visa Check Card which, of course, is linked directly to my checking account. The young man behind the counter took my card, swiped it, then laid it flat on the counter as he waited for the approval, which is pretty standard procedure. While he waited, he picked up
his cell phone and started dialing. I noticed the phone because it is the same model I have, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Then I heard a click that sounded like my phone sounds when I take a picture.

He then gave me back my card but kept the phone in his hand as if he was still pressing buttons. Meanwhile, I'm thinking: I wonder what he is taking a picture of, oblivious to what was really going on. It then dawned on me: the only thing there was my credit card, so now I'm paying close attention to what he is doing. He set his phone on the counter, leaving it open. About five seconds later, I heard the chime that tells you that the picture has been saved. Now I'm standing there struggling with the fact that this boy just took a picture of my credit card. Yes, he played it off well, because had we not had the same kind of phone, I probably would never have known what happened.

Needless to say, I immediately canceled that card as I was walking out of the pizza parlor. All I am saying is, be aware of your surroundings at all times. Whenever you are using your credit cards, take caution and don't be careless. Notice who is standing near you and what they are doing when you use your card. Be aware of phones because many have a camera phone these days. When you are in a restaurant and the waiter/waitress brings your card and receipt for you to sign, make sure you scratch the number off. Some restaurants are using only the last four digits, but a lot of  them are still putting the whole thing on there. I have already been a victim of credit card fraud and, believe me, it is not fun. The truth is that they can get you even when you are careful, but don't make it easy for them.

Last Updated: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 11:47:28 AM

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