The Epilepsy Society asks would you know what to do if someone has an epileptic seizure?

NOW the answer is in your hands! As mobile internet takes over desktop usage Epilepsy Society is highlighting its first step by step guides on its phone app and on YouTube.

Amanda Cleaver, Epilepsy Society’s communications manager, said:- “New technology is key when it comes to giving people first aid information at their fingertips. One in 20 of us will have a seizure at some point in our lives and around one in every hundred people has epilepsy, so there is every chance that sooner or later you may be that person needed to give a helping hand to someone having a seizure. First aid knowledge can save lives and prevent people with epilepsy from seriously injuring themselves. Epilepsy Society makes first aid knowledge easily available. We offer free downloadable apps for smart phones - just search ‘epilepsy society’ on your app store. If YouTube is your thing, our step by step recovery position guide can help you know what to do when a seizure has finished. Visit:- epilepsysociety.org.uk to learn more.”

The charity also provides free handy credit sized first aid card for people to carry in their purse or wallet for people not so keen on new technology and a new first aid poster can also be ordered from the charity’s online shop.

Most seizures happen without warning, last only a short time and stop without any special treatment. The majority of people with epilepsy do not experience seizures once the right anti-epileptic drug treatments have been found, but for some it is not so easy to control. Here’s how you can help if you see someone having a seizure:-

Do

Keep calm.
Check your watch to note the time.
Cushion the person’s head.
Put them into the recovery position after the convulsions (shaking) stop.
Stay with them until they have recovered and their breathing has gone back to normal.
If the seizure doesn’t stop after 5 minutes call an ambulance.
If in doubt, call 999 for an ambulance!

Don't

Don’t hold them down.
Don’t put anything in their mouth.
Don’t move them unless they are in direct danger.

Plea to community workers to join Carbon monoxide Awareness group

THE Runcorn based founder of the Carbon Monoxide Awareness charity, Lynn Griffiths is asking local organisations working in the community to come together to prevent deaths and injuries from the UK's most common poison.

The charity is asking anyone working across Halton to join a group that will meet twice yearly to discuss ways of raising awareness of Carbon Monoxide. The first meeting is being hosted at Halton Housing Trust Offices in Runcorn on Friday, 16 September 2011, between 9:30am and 11:30am.

Working with Halton Housing Trust, the area’s largest single provider of rented housing, the charity is looking for local members from across Halton. Members will act as ambassadors to raise awareness of Carbon Monoxide poisoning amongst their employees and tenants/clients.

Lynn Griffiths, a Halton mum of four and President of Carbon Monoxide Awareness, said:- “Carbon monoxide poisoning is not necessarily the first thing that someone visiting someone in their own home will think of when presented with even a classic case. We know from contact with surviving victims and bereaved relatives that all too often people receive poor advice, investigation and treatment after their encounter with carbon monoxide. Unless we do something to improve the overall awareness, cases of exposure to this common and potentially deadly poison will continue to be poorly recognised, particularly in the initial stages, and the tragedy of avoidable illness and deaths will continue.”

Nick Atkin, Chief Executive at Halton Housing Trust said:- “As a provider of housing services to over 12,000 people in the borough we have a duty of care to both our customers and also our employees who live and work in our homes. We have been proud supporters of Lynn and her work for a number of years and are keen to create a strong community group for the area to spread the message as far as we can.”

Dr. Ed. Walker, a medical advisor for the charity said:- “Carbon Monoxide is unique among poisons. It is lethal even in small amounts, yet is commonly found in homes and workplaces all over the world. As a society we are probably less aware of its dangers than we were 50 years ago, and unless that changes people will continue to die and be severely disabled.”

The charity is concerned that organisations are sending employees into homes without sufficient training or equipment to manage the risk Carbon Monoxide poisoning poses. It is vital that anyone going about their daily work, which involves home visits are issued with personal Carbon Monoxide monitors as a matter of routine.

Anyone interested in attending this meeting or the UK one should contact Lynn Griffiths on:- 07715899296 or via email.