3 Cheers for the Early Years - For Professionals - Environmental

3 Cheers for the Early Years

Health Promotion

Environmental Health

Information for Professionals |  Health Promotion |  Initiatives |  Evaluation

The role of Environmental Health in healthy child development:

A child’s environment includes any setting they inhabit – including the home and child-care setting, but also the air they breathe, the place they sleep, anywhere they play. In short, a child’s environment is where they live.

Children are growing and developing, and so are much more sensitive than adults to the damage that environmental contaminants can cause.

We can create healthy environments for everyone, including children, by reducing our exposure to physical, chemical, biological and social hazards in the natural or built environment.

How can you support Environmental Health in your work?

If you work with children:
  • Pay particular attention to the environment in which you work including the safety, food handling, and air quality.
  • Children need outdoor active play, but they also need to be protected from the sun and bugs. Sunscreen and insect repellents should NOT be used with children under 6 months of age. For more information, check out the websites below or see Growing Miracles (page 26 and 27)
  • Make washing hands a game – sing a song, scrub away the germs. Children will form healthy habits if you get them to wash their hands before and after eating, after using the toilet and immediately upon coming in from outdoor play or touching animals.
  • Children’s small bodies make them more likely to get sick from food that is not prepared, stored or cooked properly. Be extremely attentive to safety in these areas and don’t let children handle raw meat, poultry or fish.
  • Never smoke in the presence of children.
If you work with parents:
  • Parents will benefit from education about keeping their children’s environments healthy. Incorporate information into any parenting program or contact.
  • Know your community resources – help parents access support for quitting smoking. Encourage all adults not to smoke in the presence of children.
  • Encourage parents to read their copy of Growing Miracles – point out the sections on healthy environments.

How can 3 Cheers and Calgary Health Region support you?

Resources:
Professional Services and Community Action:

Our Public Health Inspectors protect and promote healthy environments through health promotion and education, consultation, research, inspection, monitoring, sampling and enforcement of legislation under the authority of the Public Health Act.

Our Environmental Health staff promote a healthy environments for children by:

  • approving and inspecting childcare centers, before and after school programs, nursery schools and preschools.
  • assessing and regulating risk factors that children may be exposed to in the natural environment (air, water, food, soil) and the built environment (i.e. rental housing, indoor air quality, playgrounds)
  • following up unconfirmed and confirmed cases of food borne and waterborne illness for all ages, including children.
  • investigating complaints or referrals of nuisance conditions that may affect the health or well being of children in any public setting, such as food, drinking water and pests.
  • offering courses and information on hand washing, food safety, food borne illness, swimming pool sanitation, playground safety, safe drinking water, and a variety of environmental issues.
Calgary Health Region Links:
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