Thank you to our staff and customers for their generous support in the BC Wildfires relief efforts

Today London Drugs sent a cheque for $50,000 to the Red Cross BC office in support of BC wildfire evacuees in thanks to donations from London Drugs customers across Western Canada.

The $50,000 in donations collected at the tills is part of London Drugs’ multi-pronged emergency response in helping those impacted by the fires. In addition to the donation directly made to the Red Cross, since July 7, the London Drugs Community Emergency Response team has worked around the clock to mobilize volunteers, supply trucks, emergency care kits, charging stations, pharmacists on demand and on-the-ground support to evacuation centres and community groups primarily in Kamloops, Prince George and Ashcroft, BC. Offers of support continue to go out to all evacuation centres in the province with more than $50,000 in supplies and support London Drugs has so far contributed to relief agencies and the people they are helping.

“We have made it our mandate for the last several years to be there for our communities in times of need and when disasters strike,” said Clint Mahlman, London Drugs executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Immediately collecting for the Red Cross for much needed cash donations is a top priority for support and also, having staff on the ground working with relief agencies to determine how else we can help, is how we help fire evacuees in a direct way. This is really the London Drugs way. We listen to what the needs are of the community and we do our best to support them.”

Since July 7, the London Drugs Emergency Response has involved 120 staff, helping to support in a variety of ways. Here is a glimpse of the support and continued ways we can help evacuation centres and evacuees:

• 1300 Community Emergency Comfort kits have been distributed to the evacuation centres. These kits contain basic toiletries and comforts that someone would need immediately if they need to evacuate without notice.
• A Family Toy Box and Activity Kits have been delivered to six of the evacuation stations for the comfort of those who are waiting at the Children’s lounge at each of the evacuation stations.
• Three London Drugs / Quick Media charging stations have been deployed at evacuation centres for use by those staying at the centres. This assists with the basic necessity to charge devices in a secure way.
• Donations of requested supplies of water, diapers, feminine hygiene items, toilet paper, wipes, baby formula, reading glasses, towels, snacks, and stationery is ongoing and the support continues.
• Pharmacists stationed at evacuation centres providing immediate advice and assistance with prescriptions and health needs is ongoing.

Evacuation centres and relief agencies generally work together with our local store managers to provide health care and comfort support to evacuees. The leader of the London Drugs Emergency Response team is also directly in connection with relief agencies and will continue deploying support as long as the need is there.

Evacuees needing pharmacy support can continue to contact London Drugs’ customer care line: 1-844-782-0051. It’s important to keep in mind amid fire conditions for people to stay hydrated, wear a mask when needed and have all medications up to date. For individuals living in areas with poor air quality, you may want to consider staying indoors when possible, use air purifiers and if asthmatic, keep inhalers handy. Consider use of aero chambers with inhalers to ensure maximum inhalation of doses. The London Drugs pharmacy team in Kamloops and Prince George are available to assist remotely where needed and evacuees are welcome to reach out for help. Individuals do not have to be a current patient of London Drugs to access essential health care services and medications. London Drugs pharmacy contact in Kamloops: 1-250-372-3445. London Drugs pharmacy contact in Prince George: 1-250-561-1118.

“On behalf of all of the staff who have commented on their appreciation of the direct support initiated by the London Drugs Emergency Response team, we wish to send a heartfelt thank you to all of our customers and staff across Western Canada who have been touched by the needs of the thousands of people impacted by the wildfires in BC and for your continued support of the evacuation centres and relief agencies,” said Mahlman. “We will continue collecting and contributing to the Red Cross and continue supporting our communities on the ground with supplies and services for the days to come.”

BC Wildfire Relief Efforts

The wildfires currently burning in BC have caused terrible devastation for families and have created a need for help. We’re so proud of our London Drugs’ staff and customers who have risen to the occasion and have come forward with donations and support for those who have been affected.

Here is a recap of what our staff has been able to do to help so far.

July 8
London Drugs activated collection for Canadian Red Cross BC Fires in all 80 stores and online at londondrugs.com and the community responded immediately with donations. Emergency pharmacy services and complimentary Charging Stations were set up for evacuees in both Kamloops and Prince George evacuation centres. A 53′ trailer full of emergency supplies was sent to Kamloops so Community Emergency Comfort (CEC) kits can be created and distributed. Staff from our Kamloops store brought some of these kits as well as toys and activity kits to the MacArthur Island Evacuation Centre.

July 9
We were able to distribute 330 CEC kits as well as pet food and baby wipes to the MacArthur Island Evacuation Centre in Kamloops. In Prince George our store staff delivered 150 CEC kits, cases of diapers as well as toy and activity kits to the local evacuation centre. The toy and activity kits include colouring books, crayons, stuffies, matchbox cars, magazines, juice boxes, art paper and board games. These kits have been well received as they provide comfort for the children.

July 10
The Ashcroft First Nations Band expressed a need for support as some homes have been lost so our staff got together and assembled 100 CEC kits which they delivered as well as water, diapers, pet food, hygiene items and Kleenex. Later that night another 130 CEC kits were delivered. In Prince George we received a call that reading glasses and towels were needed at the evacuation centre. Huge thanks to staff who wasted no time delivering these items along with another 40 CEC kits.

July 11
The London Drugs Emergency Response trailer arrived in Prince George to deliver much needed supplies so more Community Emergency Comfort kits could be assembled. The Ponderosa Seniors Centre in Kamloops opened their doors to displaced seniors and were in need of supplies so our staff delivered 100 CEC kits.

July 12
Our Prince George staff delivered more CEC kits and sunscreen to the local evacuation centre. The Ponderosa Seniors Centre in Kamloops was in need of some dental supplies for the evacuees so our staff rounded them up and delivered them right away. Some toys and an activity box was delivered to the Evacuation Centre to give some much needed distraction for the children.

July 13
Staff continues to assemble CEC kits and look for ways to help wherever they can. A toy box and 100 CEC kits were delivered to the MacArthur Island Evacuation Centre today. Seeing how much they are appreciated has been a humbling experience for our staff.

July 14
The fires continue to spread and cause more displacement of people from their homes. A truck was sent out to Princeton today full of water, diapers, paper towels, wipes, snacks, pet food, personal hygiene items, toys and activity kits.

July 15
Today our Kamloops staff went down to the Sandman Centre where evacuees were waiting in line. They handed out water, snack bars and fruit leather to them as they waited. Donations were sent to the Salvation Army in Abbotsford where another evacuation centre has been set up. 200 CEC kits were delivered to the Thompson Nicola Regional District. Donations to the Red Cross continue to come in from our customers.

July 16
Another delivery was made today to the Kamloops Evacuation center of water, baby formula, diapers and other hygiene items. 450 CEC kits were delivered to the Kamloops Sandman Center. Toys and an activity box were delivered to Vernon for displaced families.

July 17
In Prince George another 50 CEC kits were delivered as well as cases of towels to the evacuation centre. Another evacuation centre has been set up in Cloverdale so toys and an activity box were delivered for the kids.

July 18
A cheque was delivered to the Canadian Red Cross in the amount of $50,000. A HUGE thank you to our customers for your generous donations toward BC Fire relief. More CEC kits were delivered to the Sandman Centre in Kamloops.

July 19
Staff continues to deliver CEC kits to the various evacuation centres as well as respond to requests for particular needs. The toy and activity boxes have been a big hit with the families so another was delivered to South Okanagan Events Centre and another in Vernon.

8 Beautiful Backyards to Drool Over

Summertime in Canada is now in full force, and we’ll take any excuse to enjoy the sunshine and warm weather. For many, summer calls for patio lunches and weekends at the beach. But for others, it may simply mean retreating back home and unwinding in the backyard. 

Whether you’ve hired a landscaper, excel at gardening, or delve into home DIY projects, backyards always seem to be a work in progress. It doesn’t matter if you’re working with a tiny apartment patio or an extravagant poolside gazebo, the following list of 8 Beautiful Backyards to Drool Over are bound to impress—and hopefully inspire you—this summer season.

1. Outdoor Theatre

If you love to entertain, share a home with a group, or have a large family, this DIY outdoor theatre will be a hit. Perfect for warm nights, this design lets you enjoy watching your favourite films under the stars.

[Find more at The Horticult]

2. DIY Pergola

You don’t need a lot of space to create stunning backyard structures. This frugal DIY pergola can be assembled more easily than you would think, and can be made on a dime.

[Find more at The Created Home]

3. Refurbished Driveway

If you are committed to using space, a lawn isn’t needed for this stylish outdoor design. With a little ingenuity, these homeowners were able to refurbish their unused driveway and turn it into a backyard sanctuary.

[Find more at House and Home]

4. Koi Pond and Waterfall

For nature lovers looking for a little zen in their lives, a koi fish pond isn’t as hard to make as you might think. This elegant koi pond and waterfall duo give a sense of serenity to a small but oh-so-cozy backyard.

[Find more at Digs Digs]

5. Hot Tub Haven

If you’re lucky enough to have access to a hot tub, we envy you! This lovely set-up can be appreciated even in the cooler months, but will definitely be a meeting place for friends and family during the summer.

[Find more at Better Homes & Gardens]

6. Beachy Vibes

If you can’t get enough of beach life, why not bring the beach to you? Inspired by the rustic outdoors, this campfire set-up will bring back many summer memories.

[Find more at Best of DIY Ideas]

7. Gorgeous Garden

Got a green thumb? This lush green gardenscape is a heavenly escape. With a little TLC and gardening know-how, your backyard can look just as flawless.

[Find more at Canadian Living]

8. Brick Patio

This classic design reminiscent of the Secret Garden is perfect for apartment dwellers looking for change. Using a faux grass rug, you no longer have to worry about watering a lawn or mowing the grass.

[Find more at Liz Marie Blog]

You can find some beautiful and functional pieces to redesign your backyard from London Drugs in-store or online. Make sure to browse our Outdoor Living Guide for more inspiration!

Ecowaterless Car Cleaning

Washing your car has historically been a daunting task…

This is how we cleaned cars in 1914

In the 1950’s this is how we cleaned cars. Note even nearly 70 years people still clean their cars like this.

An average car wash uses over 200 liters of clean drinking water, contaminates the ground with dirt and you don’t know how your car will look on the other side (pressure washes usually scratch the car).

Of all the earth water: 97% is unusable as it is in the ocean and is salt water. The other 3%is fresh water and only 1% of that is accessible which we can use to drink and our other water needs. This is as the other 2% is locked in icecaps.

Right now: 460 billion litres of clean drinking water is used annually in the car washing industry.

That’s enough water to fill 184,000 Olympic sized swimming pools of clean drinking water.

Only 3% of the world’s water is fresh and only 1% of it is drinkable.

Each car wash is equivalent to 400 bottles of clean drinking water

That’s where Ecowaterless comes in.

Our solution uses zero water, contains only natural ingredients and is completely biodegradable. Along with that you can clean your car in 15 minutes as opposed to the time it would take with a hosepipe, bucket and sponge. Our solution also contains a natural wax which keeps your car shiny and adds another layer or wax coating to your car which protects it against dirt.

Each time you clean your car with Ecowaterless you save 400 bottles of clean drinking water. On top of this you save fuel, car emissions and time from travelling to and back a car wash.

Along with that, Ecowaterless donates a portion of their profits to Canada water aid and the company actively do local volunteering days. Ecowaterless has also won the Vancouver smart business award.

Ecowaterless Car Cleaning Kit is available at London Drugs.

Respiratory Information During Forest Fires

Forest fires can be an inevitable part of living in British Columbia. The following information is provided to reduce your personal health risk.

Air Quality

The Ministry of Environment to monitors air quality impact due to wildfires across the province.  For the most up to date conditions and a list of active advisories, please visit: www.bcairquality.ca

• Current air quality data by region
• Current air advisories

Tips to reduce personal risk:

Smoke can affect each person differently, based on their health, age, and exposure.

People with heart or lung conditions may be more sensitive to the effects of smoke and should watch for any change in symptoms that may be due to smoke exposure. If you notice any symptoms, take steps to reduce your exposure to smoke and if necessary see a physician. People with symptoms should go to their health care provider, walk-in clinic or emergency department depending on the severity of symptoms.

• Residents with asthma, COPD or other chronic illness should activate their asthma, respiratory or personal care plan.
• Use common sense regarding outdoor physical activity – if your breathing becomes difficult or uncomfortable, stop or reduce the activity.
• Stay cool and drink plenty of fluids.
• Smoke levels may be lower indoors, however levels of smoke particles will still be increased. If you stay indoors, be aware of your symptoms.
• Commercially available HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters can further reduce poor indoor air quality near the device.
• Reduce indoor pollution sources such as smoking or burning other materials.
• Consider visiting a location like a shopping mall with cooler filtered air. Keep in mind that staying indoors may help you stay cool and provide some relief from the smoke, however, many air conditioning systems do not filter the air or improve indoor air quality.
• You may be able to reduce your exposure to smoke by moving to cleaner air. Conditions can vary dramatically by area and elevation.
• Pay attention to local air quality reports; air quality may be poor even though smoke may not be visible.
• Maintaining good overall health is a good way to prevent health effects resulting from short-term exposure to air pollution.

Additional information can be found on our pharmacy blog.

Report a Wildfire

Wildfire Information: 1-888-3FOREST or 1-888-336-7378

HealthLink BC: Call toll free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 8-1-1 for general info about smoke and your health

Reposted from:

• http://www.viha.ca/mho/public_health_alerts/wildfires-smoke.htm
• http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status/wildfire-situation