Candy Cane Campaign to spread cheer and safety tips

NORTH ZONE – Alberta Health Services’ Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Health Promotion departments are once again teaming up with community partners to run the Candy Cane Awareness Campaign.

Throughout the month of December at various North Zone locations, motorists pulled over at a campaign checkstop will receive a candy cane as well as holiday safety messages:

• Don’t drink and drive. It’s not worth risking it.
• Prepare your vehicle for emergencies. Don’t get caught on a dark, cold road without a flashlight and warm winter boots.
• Drive carefully. Ice and snow can make winter driving treacherous. Drive slowly, don’t hurry and watch for other drivers.

The Candy Cane Awareness Campaign expects to reach more than 10,000 drivers with winter safety information and holiday treats. The program has been operating in northern Alberta communities for more than 10 years.

Dates and locations for the Candy Cane Awareness Campaign include:

• Dec. 6: Rainbow Lake, Chateh.
• Dec. 7: Fort Vermilion, La Crete, Grimshaw, Grande Prairie, Fox Creek.
• Dec. 8: High Level, Grande Cache.
• Dec. 9: Peace River.
• Dec. 10: Bonanza, High Prairie.
• Dec. 12: Wabasca/Demarais.
• Dec. 15: Worsley, Beaverlodge, Hythe, Plamondon, Lac La Biche.
• Dec. 16: Manning, Lac La Biche, Valleyview.
• Dec. 17: Spirit River, Lac La Biche, Kikino, Plamondon.
• Dec. 20 & 21: Swan Hills.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

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