Category Archives: Advocacy

Want to be a blood donor?

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Image credit: N and People’s Tonight (June 17, 2015 issue)

Do you know that donating blood does not only benefit the recipient, but the giver as well? One great benefit of giving blood is that you help others live. You see, our blood has several components such as red cells, white cells, platelets and plasma. Each of these components is useful to someone needing them. As for the health benefits, you will be amazed to know that blood donation reduces the person’s risk to heart attack and cancer. Blood donation replenishes the blood production in the body and as a result it helps the body stay healthy and strong.

blood donation

There are foundations that sponsor blood letting project inside the mall. So if you happen to be at the mall where a blood-letting activity is taking place, you can visit them and see if you qualify to donate blood.

You can donate blood if you…

  • Are in good health
  • Are between 16 to 65 years old (16 and 17 years old need parents consent);
  • Weigh at least 110 pounds;
  • Have a blood pressure between: Systolic: 90-160 mmHg, Diastolic: 60-100 mmHg; and
  • Pass the physical and health history assessments.

Potential donors are carefully screened by the Philippine Red Cross Blood Services Facilities. The screening guidelines are necessary to ensure that blood donation is safe for you and that it is safe for the person who will be receiving your blood.

*World Blood Donor Day is observed every 14th of June to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank blood donors for their voluntary life-saving gifts of blood. This year’s theme: “Safe blood for saving mothers“. – wiki

Image credit: Sura Nualpradid – FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Immunization Schedule for Teens and Pre-teens for 2014

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Moms and Dads, please take note of the following immunization schedule for our teens and pre-teens at home. It pays to know the type of vaccines and the age they are appropriately administered. My kids are both candidates to receive some of the vaccines and booster shots mentioned here.

CIS2014_FArev013014
Please click on the image to get a clearer view of the summary table.

Image credit: http://www.philvaccine.org/

Safety rules on use of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices

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fireworks

If you cannot avoid to light a firecracker to welcome the new year, please take note of the following safety rules from health experts.

  • Do not hold firecrackers while lighting them. Use the lighted end of a stick instead.
  • Do not light more than one device at a time.
  • Do no alter fireworks in a any way.
  • Do not pick up or relight firecrackers that fail to ignite. Pour water or tear any device properly.
  • Do not bend directly over pyrotechnic device like fountains and crying cows while lighting them.
  • Do not use fireworks indoors.
  • Do not use fireworks near flammable substances/materials.
  • Do not allow small children to handle fireworks.
  • Do not light and throw pyrotechnics in the direction of people, passing vehicles or combustible objects.
  • Do not use calcium carbride (kalburo) or other combustible liquids in firing toy cannons.
  • Do not use firecrackers when under the influence of liquor or alcohol.
  • Do not light firecrackers under containers which will tend to explode and produce splinters or shrapnel.
  • Do not light “kwitis”, “trompillo” and others alike under electric wires.
  • Do not delay to seek medical help as soon as possible in case of firecrackers injury.

Tips on the proper handling/disposal of firecrackers and pyrotechnics devices that failed to explode or ignite:

  • All lighted firecrackers or pyrotechnic devices but failed to explode or ignite must be gathered carefully by using stick broom with a dustpan and place inside a designated garbage drum or trash can.
  • A designated drum or trash can will be used solely for unexploded firecrackers or unignited pyrotechnic devices and related debris. It must be secured until turned over/collected by area garbage collectors.
  • Gathered or collected unexploded firecrackers, unignited pyrotechnic devices and related debris shall be disposed by means of burning at designated safe area free from dried grasses, flammable materials and away from populated areas.

Let’s welcome 2014 without injury. Please be safe everyone.

Image credit: Papaija2008 – FreeDigitalPhotos.net