As Valentine’s Day rolls around once again, so does American Heart Month, a dedicated month out of the year we all know as the time to educate ourselves and others on cardiovascular health. Not only should we shine light on the many heart conditions that lead to life-threatening sudden cardiac arrest, but this month is also a great time to share with others what you are doing in your community to keep a heart-safe environment.
Whether you are a school, church, or even a small business it’s important to make sure community members know what to do when an emergency arises and where to find an AED if necessary. How can I ensure my community knows they are in a heart-safe environment? Here are 3 AED accessories that can help guide, prepare, and give your community peace of mind knowing you are ready in the event of a cardiac emergency.
AED Signage
AED signs can help people navigate to AED equipment in the most critical moments that follow a sudden cardiac arrest. While AED signage requirements vary from state to state, these signs are still important regardless of whether your state requires them. Having an AED sign hanging on a wall above the machine can direct individuals toward the equipment and ultimately help save a life.
Other signage such as window or door decals can let the public know they are in a heart-safe environment that is prepared in the event a cardiac emergency arises. Even though OSHA standards do not address AEDs directly, safety signs can still help your business stay OSHA-compliant when it comes to exposure to first-aid hazards and protecting workers and pedestrians from injury.2
AED Awareness Cards
Another way to spread AED awareness and show your company is emergency ready is by putting an AED Awareness Placard in an area that is publicly visible above or around your AED. These placards simply display a step-by-step guide on how to use an AED in an emergency. This easy simple effort can help educate the public so they can be prepared.
AED Inspection Tag
An AED inspection tag is a great way to better communicate among workers about your AED’s status and when the last date of inspection was in case an audit occurs. They are also a great tool to ensure that battery replacement, pad replacement, and the overall condition of the AED are being taken care of. Tags can allow you to easily record information and share the information to make certain your workplace is aware of your commitment to keeping an emergency-prepared environment.
In the event of any emergency, you can never be overprepared. 51% of employees don’t know where their workplace AED is located, leaving them just as uninformed as any other bystander in emergency situations.1 However, incorporating these three accessories into your organization, business, or community will bring you one step closer to saving another life. View more AED signs and prep kits along with additional AED accessories to start creating a heart-safe environment today.
References
1American Heart Association. (2023). AED implementation. cpr.heart.org. Retrieved January 12, 2023, from https://cpr.heart.org/en/training-programs/aed-implementation
2OSHA. (2023). Department of Labor Logo United Statesdepartment of Labor. Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) – Standards | Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Retrieved January 12, 2023, from https://www.osha.gov/aed/standards