Candy Cane Checkstops to spread cheer and safety tips

GRANDE PRAIRIE – Alberta Health Services’ Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Health Promotion department are once again teaming up with community partners to run the Candy Cane Checkstop education campaign.

Starting this week at various Peace Country locations, motorists pulled over at a 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.

Candy Cane Checkstop teams expect to reach more than 3,000 drivers with winter safety information and holiday treats during the campaign. The program has been operating in northern Alberta communities for more than 10 years.

Dates and locations of Candy Cane Checkstops include:

• Dec. 4: Worsley
• Dec. 5: McLennan
• Dec. 7: Grimshaw, Manning
• Dec. 8: Rainbow Lake, Grande Prairie
• Dec. 9: Fort Vermilion, La Crete, Peace River
• Dec. 10: High Level, Fairview, Fox Creek
• Dec. 11: Beaverlodge, Hythe, Valleyview
• Dec. 12: High Prairie
• Dec. 14: Wabasca
• Dec. 17: Grande Cache, Slave Lake
• Dec. 18: Swan Hills
• Dec. 19: Spirit River

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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For media inquiries, contact:

Kirsten Goruk
AHS Communications
780-830-3537