Katie Lucas, Nature Coast EMS, 10/02/12 - Pink Paper Day

Good morning! This will be a busy month, so Pink & Boo!

If you see pink everywhere, it’s not your imagination! October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, (NBCAM).  NBCAM is a collaboration of national public service organizations, professional medical associations and government agencies working together to promote breast cancer awareness, share information on the disease and provide greater access to services.

During the month, Nature Coast EMS team members will “pay” for the right to wear special pink T-shirts to raise money for and in
honor of breast cancer awareness.

Have you noticed it’s starting to get darker just a little bit earlier in the evening? Daylight savings is coming to an end and cooler weather is on the way (along with ghosts and goblins)! 

Fall often prompts people to spend more time inside using fireplaces, space heaters and heating systems to keep warm, so here are a few preseason Nature Coast EMS safety tips.

+ If you have a fireplace, have your chimney professionally cleaned. Just because your fireplace is not used as often as in the north, soot buildup and/or creatures like birds, squirrels, etc., may have taken up residence.

+ Time change is also great reminder to replace your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector batteries. For reference, “fall back” is 2 a.m. Nov. 4.

Halloween tips

Now, here are a few Nature Coast EMS Halloween safety tips for the ghosts and goblins. Halloween costumes can be funny or scary, but they should always be safe. Make sure all costumes, bought or homemade, are flame-retardant. They should fit well to avoid tripping from too long a dress or cape. If masks are worn, eye holes should be large enough and well ventilated. Be sure to pretest any makeup a few days in advance. If a rash, redness or swelling develops, it could be a sign of a possible allergy or adverse reaction. Visibility is very important. Keep a flashlight with you. Children will be more visible to drivers and you can keep an eye on them. Be  safe and have fun.

Trunk or Treat

Speaking of fun, Nature Coast EMS would like to invite you and your family to the fourth annual Trunk or Treat Halloween Event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26. There will be “trunk” or treating, face painting, games, a haunted hallway, hotdogs and drinks, a kids’ costume contest and a showing of the movie “Monsters Inc.” 

Some of our “trunkers” joining Nature Coast EMS include the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Rescue, Florida Highway Patrol and Bayflite trauma and critical-care helicopter. Everything is free, and we hope you are able to join us!

Nature Coast EMS is proud to be part of your community, and we will be there whenever and wherever you need us.

As always, be safe, take care and stay well.

Some of the information for this article was ascertained from AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation and The Halloween Safety website. Nature Coast EMS does not solicit donations via telephone on behalf of our Paramedics and EMTs. The Citrus County Professional Paramedics and EMTs Local 365 is a union, and Nature Coast EMS team members do not benefit from any donation to this organization.

Katie Lucas is the public information officer at Nature Coast EMS. She can be reached at 352-249-4730 or katie.lucas@naturecoastems.org. Nature Coast EMS is an accredited, nonprofit established in 2000 to provide emergency medical services to Citrus County. Watch “Every Minute Counts” hosted by Mike Hall, CEO, Nature Coast EMS on WYKE TV at 8 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m. Wednesdays.