Canadian ER Etiquette
When you are in Canada and hear the sound of an emergency vehicle approaching, the first thing you do is look for it. Getting out of the way is not a matter of politeness - it's the law, based on the Canadian Highway Traffic Act. The vehicles considered to be 'emergency' are ambulance, fire and police. When emergency vehicles are responding, they'll sound an alarm (horn, gong, bell, siren or exhaust whistle) and use flashing lights (flashing red, flashing red and blue light, or alternating flashing headlights).
The most common mistake people make is 'freezing' in place and the most common problem is not hearing the sirens due to loud music in their vehicle.
When you notice an emergency vehicle approaching from any direction, you must yield right-of-way:
- Move clear of an intersection: If you are stopped for a red light or stop sign and are blocking the emergency vehicle's path, you must clear the way and proceed through a red light or stop sign with caution.
- Keep right: Do not go onto the median boulevard; drive as closely as possible to the right curb or edge of roadway - emergency vehicles are trained to go to the left or centre.
- Remain stopped: Do not proceed. Stay at the edge of the road until the emergency vehicles have passed.
- On one-way streets: Pull right or left to the nearest curb so as not to block the emergency vehicle.
Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be.
:: It's Good to Know ::
ANTIBIOTICS - In some parts of Europe and Latin America you can get antibiotics from pharmacist. To avoid language barrier or miscommunication, ask for drugs (both prescription or over the counter) by their ingredient names, not their brand names. For example drugs for upper respiratory infections: Amoxicillin is known as Amoxil, or Erythromycin is known as E-mycin. The World Health Organization advises against this in underdeveloped countries, since drugs there may be inferior or even placebos.
CAR RENTALS - You probably don't think twice about what car you'll get when you rent in the States or Canada, because agencies almost always offer automatics. If you're going to Europe, it is another story and it pays to drive a stick, because an automatic transmission can cost much more. There's only a small market for automatics. Ask your car-rental agent about price before you rent. Also when renting a vehicle in a foreign country, always ask for an extra set of keys - or have a set made. Read more...
BLISTERS - If blisters are keeping you from hitting another attraction you didn't want to miss, relief may be as close as the hotel mini bar. Compresses made from tea bags or milk can help ease blister pain and swelling. Just saturate a washcloth with cool milk or chilled steeped tea bag and apply directly on a blister for 15 minutes. Milk's proteins help speed healing, and the tannins in the teas help shrink swollen tissue. They can also soothe your sunburn or insect bites.
"While most of us are trying to be more frugal, the loss of a job, a divorce, or a medical emergency can quickly sink us deeply into debt."
~ Lisa Madigan
