Epinephrine Auto-Injectors Now Accessible in City Recreational Centres

HAMILTON – Effective November 14, 2016, the City of Hamilton has deployed Epinephrine Auto-Injectors (EAIs) in City-owned facilities across the city including all recreation centres, arenas, YWCA-senior centres, and community halls. Both adult EAIs and child EAIs will be available for public and staff use during public program hours.

All City facilities that have EAIs will have a sign on the front door. Directional signage will also be visible through the facility directing the public and staff to where the EAIs are stored.

Citizens are encouraged to use Epinephrine Auto-Injectors.
The public is encouraged to use an EAI when potential anaphylactic shock is apparent.

How to use Epinephrine Auto-Injectors

The EAI is a disposable, pre-filled automatic injection device that administers epinephrine in the event of a severe allergic reaction.  Remove the EAI from the carrier tube and follow these two steps:

Blue to the sky

• Hold firmly with orange tip pointing downward.
• Remove blue safety cap by pulling straight up. Do not bend or twist.

Orange to the thigh

• Swing and push orange tip firmly into mid-outer thigh until you hear a ‘click’.
• Hold on thigh for several seconds.
• Call 911 after using an Epinephrine Auto-Injector

Quick Facts

• Epinephrine is a medication used for the treatment of life-threatening allergic reactions known as anaphylaxis.
• Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. It can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to something you're allergic to, such as a peanut or the venom from a bee sting.
• Anaphylactic shock is an extreme, often life-threatening allergic reaction to an antigen to which the body has become hypersensitive.

Additional Resources

Learn more about anaphylaxis