Hurricane Safety – First Aid Stats and Facts

FACTS

1. Traumatic Injuries: High winds and flying debris can cause cuts, fractures, and head injuries.
2. Drowning: Flooding poses a significant risk of drowning, especially in low-lying areas.
3. Electrocution: Downed power lines and waterlogged electrical systems increase the risk of electrocution.
4. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Improper use of generators indoors can lead to dangerous carbon monoxide buildup.
5. Heat-Related Illnesses: Power outages can disable air conditioning, leading to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
6. Insect and Animal Bites: Displaced wildlife and increased mosquito activity can result in bites and potential disease transmission.
7. Mental Health Issues: The stress and trauma of experiencing a hurricane can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns.

STATS

• In 2023, hurricanes and tropical storms caused 17 fatalities and 40 injuries.
• The National Weather Service reports that hurricanes are among nature’s most powerful and destructive phenomena, with an average of 14 tropical storms forming over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, or Gulf of Mexico during the hurricane season each year.
• Since 1900, tropical cyclones have killed more than 600 people in Canada.
• The Canadian Red Cross reports that over 577,000 people learned first aid across Canada in the 2018-2019 period, highlighting the importance of first aid training in emergency preparedness.
• The Canadian Disaster Database contains detailed disaster information on more than 1,000 natural, technological, and conflict events that have directly affected Canadians, highlighting the importance of disaster preparedness, including first aid readiness.
• Studies have found that hurricanes cause thousands of deaths that are unaccounted for, with estimates suggesting that tropical storms since 1930 have contributed to between 3.6 million and 5.2 million deaths across the United States.