When Wayne Satre saw an innovative Y-shaped padded safety belt on wheelchairs in a hospital in British Columbia, he had an idea.

That idea ended with the Weyburn Auxiliary Fire Brigade donating seven new safety belts to the Weyburn hospital.

They are used in wheelchairs and chairs to prevent injuries when patients are susceptible to falling.

"The patients don't resist as much as they did because the new belts are more comfortable for them," said Verne Cooke, a registered orthopedic technologist and trained orderly at Weyburn General Hospital. "We've only tried them on a few patients, but it looks like they will become a permanent fixture at the hospital."

Upon his return from British Columbia, Satre took a picture of the belt to a local craftsman who made a prototype belt which was tried at the Weyburn General Hospital by orderlies. The belt was modified and then six more belts were made.

"I talked to Fire Chief Dennis Pilon and the membership and they approved the donation of the belts from Weyburn Auxiliary Fire Brigade's charity fund," said Satre.

The combined cost for the seven belts was $500.