OTTAWA- May 1, 2009 – Member of Parliament Ed Holder is pleased to provide the following article for use in your publication without charge.  

Help Protect Yourself

Emergency Preparedness Week takes place annually in May and with the current public health issues surrounding the H1N1 influenza virus, it could not be timelier this year.

You can take simple, but important, steps to protect you and your family from influenza.  Ironically, the simplest measures, which come at the lowest cost, are the most effective.  To learn more about the current H1N1 influenza outbreak and other strains of flu in Canada, please visit my website at www.edholdermp.ca/h1n1 or contact the London-Middlesex Health Unit at 519-663-5317 ext. 2330.

Frequent and proper hand washing is your best defence against any strain of the flu.  Warm water, soap and a good aggressive rubbing of the hands will do more to protect you than any mask.  To wash your hands properly, you need to wash them for at least 20 seconds – about the amount of time it takes to sing ‘Happy Birthday’.  This is a great way to make hand washing effective and fun for children.

If you have a cough, you need to take steps to limit your effect on others.  Today, we know that covering your cough is effective but is best done into your sleeve.  By coughing into your elbow, you prevent germs from becoming airborne and won’t contaminate your hands before touching objects and people.

Much of this is common sense but it is surprising how difficult it is to get this message out.  Please help yourself, your family and others by sharing this important information.

Emergency Preparedness week encourages all Canadians to take steps to ensure your family is self-sufficient for 72 hours in case of an emergency or need to isolate yourselves.   If your family was faced with no electricity, no water service, no way to buy food, medicines or fuel, are you prepared to survive the next 72 hours?  To find out how to prepare for an emergency and make your survival kit, please visit www.getprepared.gc.ca or call 1-800-O-CANADA and request the free booklet.

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