Safely active springtime!

Hey everyone, welcome to Health & Safety Month 2022! Today, we’re looking at how to be safe while staying active.

It’s springtime – and the days are getting longer, the temperatures are getting higher, and the plants are getting bigger! For many of us, springtime brings sports, hiking, picnics, gardening, and just generally getting outside more often.

Being outside can also mean sports injuries, insect bites, allergies, sun exposure, storms. HealthLinkBC has a great page full of resources to help you be prepared as you venture out to enjoy spring, including:

  • Common Sports Injuries and First Aid (bruises, elbow injuries, hand/finger/wrist injuries, leg injuries, head injuries)
  • Insect Bites and Stings (allergies and toxic reactions to bites, home remedies, insect vs spider bites, insect repellant and DEET, tick bites)
  • Plants and Wildlife (rodents, moths, wilderness and wildlife risks, poison ivy, oak, sumac)
  • Seasonal Allergies (allergy triggers, allergy shots, medications, hay fever)
  • Sun Safety (heat protection, ultraviolet radiation, sun safety)

Most importantly, the website can help you learn about the benefits of physical activity, how to add more physical activity to your life, how to set physical activity goals, and how to stay safe while being physically active.

So let’s get out there and enjoy springtime – safely!

Driver safety!

Hey everyone, ICBC has a new hazard perception training application available called Street Sense — check it out here to improve your safe driving skills! We’ve also posted a link permanently here.

Fire Safety – new program

Hey everyone, there’s a pilot program taking place in Kelowna to help residents make their properties more fire-safe and reduce the impact of wildfire on the community by offering free removal and chipping of specific woody debris. Check it out!

Hey everyone, you can check out CLBC’s latest update for individuals and families here! There are some great events coming up, you can find them in the Self Advocate Corner.

Reconcili-Action!

Hey everyone, a local organization called Global Citizen Events is planning an entire month of activities in the Okanagan to promote reconciliation!

  • Participate – Indigenous Discovery Tours! Mar. 11, Mar. 12, or Mar. 13 (family gathering)
  • Attend – Water ceremony (and ongoing events through the month) Mar. 22
  • Live-stream – Stories and song with Cheryl Bear! Mar. 12

There are many more ongoing events on the Global Citizen Events website, including Arts for Social Change. Check it out!

If you haven’t heard of Global Citizen Events, they are an annual initiative that promotes the UN Sustainable Development Goals and celebrates the impact of local citizens in global and humanitarian efforts through their mission (Entertain, Educate, and Inspire to Action). You can learn more about them here.

International Women’s Day!

Today we’re celebrating International Women’s Day! The theme this year is #BreakTheBiascheck out videos submitted by the global community about celebrating women’s achievements, raising awareness against bias, and taking action for equality (or make and submit your own!).

Do you use social media? Consider posting using a selfie card to encourage others to commit to taking action – check them out here.

Celebrate International Women’s Day!

Hey everyone, Kelowna Museums is hosting Women of the Okanagan — a virtual celebration of women. Tickets include interactive packs, fun props and coupons for local businesses, and additional proceeds are in support of the Kelowna Women’s Shelter. If you’re interested, check out the info here!

Celebrate Black History Month!

Hey everyone, we’re celebrating Black History Month in Canada and we wanted to share some cool videos we found highlighting some amazing Canadians including Harriet Tubman, Elijah McCoy, and William Hall — check it out here! You can also connect to events, resources, and organizations locally here!

And, to get started, check out the video below!

Accessibility