As a parent, it is important for you to protect yourself and your family from the sun. The sun gives off ultraviolet (UV) radiation which can be harmful. If your baby or toddler spends too much time in the sun without skin protection they are at greater risk for skin cancer later in life.

Keep these sun safety tips in mind when caring for your baby or toddler:

• Keep babies under 1 year out of direct sunlight at all times. Babies have less natural sun protection and burn easily.
• Place a canopy or umbrella over your baby's stroller to give shade.
• Cover your baby's skin with tightly woven long pants and long sleeved shirts.

• Use a wide-brimmed hat to protect your baby's face, ears, and neck.

• Protect your baby's eyes with close fitting/wrap-around sunglasses with UV 400 or 100% UV protection. Choose sunglasses for children and babies that are unbreakable.
• Do not apply sunscreen to a baby less than 6 months old.

• After 6 months of age, apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or more, labelled "broad-spectrum" and "water-resistant".
• Reapply sunscreen when needed (especially after swimming, sweating or toweling off).

• If insect repellent and sunscreen are both needed, the sunscreen should be put on first. You should wait 20 minutes and then apply the insect repellent. 

Know your daily UV Index

• Check your local radio, TV stations or online for the UV Index forecast in your area
• Limit the time in the sun when the UV Index is 3 or higher, usually between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., between April and September.

You are an important role model. Practice Sun Safety!

Keep babies and toddlers safe during hot weather and limit the time they spend outdoors during the hottest part of the day.

Babies and toddlers are more at risk of dehydrating because they have a high metabolic rate, produce more heat, and are smaller. It is also more difficult for them to cool down.

Help children avoid dehydration

• Breastfeeding according to child’s cues should be encouraged for all breastfed infants/children.  If you are breastfeeding your child, remember to keep yourself hydrated so you can produce a sufficient amount of milk.
• Babies under 6 months of age do not need extra water in hot weather however, you may need to feed them more often.
• Encourage babies over 6 months and children to drink frequently. Offer small amounts of water between feeds.
• Keep babies and toddlers close to watch for signs of thirst/hunger.
• Avoid serving drinks with caffeine or large amounts of sugar.
• Bring them into air-conditioned or cooler places like shopping malls, libraries, community centres, or a friend’s place.
• Give them a cool bath or shower or cool them down with wet towels.
• Avoid extreme temperature changes.
• Reduce, eliminate, or reschedule any strenuous activity.
• Make sure they are well rested.

Do not cover your child's stroller or car seat with a blanket. This will increase the temperature inside the stroller. Instead, bring your child to a shady area or use a portable stroller fan, if possible. Be alert for signs that your child is experiencing heat illness and needs to go inside. 

Never leave a child in a parked vehicle or in direct sunlight. When outside air temperature is 23ºC/73ºF, the temperature inside a vehicle can be extremely dangerous – more than 50ºC/122ºF.

Look twice before locking. Always keep cars locked while in garages or driveways to prevent children from inadvertently becoming trapped. The Canada Safety Council suggests making a habit of placing your cell phone, purse or wallet in the back seat — a strategy that requires you to turn around and check the back seat whenever you leave the vehicle.

When children go outside

• Dress them in light-coloured, loose-fitting, and lightweight clothing with a tight weave to cover their arms and legs.
• Encourage children to keep out of direct sunlight. Have them rest frequently in the shade.
• Teach them to take frequent breaks and to come indoors if they feel overheated.
• Always use a sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher, and reapply it at least every 2 hours. Don’t apply sunscreen to a child less than 6 months old. 

• If they are swimming or playing in water make sure their sunscreen is water-resistant.
• Choose a wide-brimmed hat.
• Have water nearby.

Keep your home cool

• If you have an air conditioner with a thermostat, keep it set to the highest setting that is comfortable (somewhere between 22^o/72^oF and 26^oC/79^oF) which will reduce your energy costs and provide needed relief. If you are using a window air conditioner, cool only one room where you can for heat relief.
• Prepare meals that don’t need to be cooked in your oven
• Block the sun by closing awnings, curtains or blinds during the day
• If safe, open your windows at night to  let cooler air onto your home

If your home is extremely hot

• Take a break from the heat and spend a few hours with your child in a cool place. It could be a tree-shaded area, swimming facility, splash pad or an air-conditioned spot such as a shopping mall, grocery store or public library.
• Bathe your child in a cool bath until your child feels refreshed. Always supervise your child in the bath.
• If using a fan, keep it a safe distance from the child and aim the air flow in their direction.

Did you know that the months of December, January and February are the coldest months of the Ottawa winter? It is hard to stay away from the cold weather but there are things you can do to protect your child.

Frostbite happens when your skin that is not covered starts to freeze. You will see it most often on the cheeks, ears, nose, fingers and toes.

Hypothermia occurs when your body's temperature drops too low.

Safety Tips

• Keep your child indoors if the temperature is below -25°C, or when the windchill is -28°C or greater.
• Make sure your child always wears a hat that completely covers their ears.
• Use neck warmers instead of scarves.
• Take frequent breaks inside for a warm drink.
• Keep your child active.
• Cover their skin with layers of clothing. Consider thermal underwear, undershirts, sweaters, two pairs of socks, and/or two pairs of mittens..
• Always remove your child's wet clothing and boots immediately.

For more information on winter safety, visit Health Canada (PDF).

Looking to buy your child a helmet? Here are some important points to remember:

• Buy a helmet that fits them now, not for them to grow into.
• Look for safety certification inside or outside the helmet.
• Buying a second-hand helmet is not recommended.

For children under five years of age: There are special helmets for toddlers (under age five) that provide more protection at the back of the head. Some children may outgrow the “toddler” size helmet before age five and should use a bigger helmet. When buying a helmet for a child, buy one that fits now, and not one they will grow into.

Are you wondering if your child is wearing the right helmet and if it fits properly? Check out the following sections to help answer your questions:

Bike Helmets

Anyone under the age of 18 is required to wear an approved bike helmet. Have your child put on the helmet so that it is not tilting backwards or forwards. Then check the following: Two fingers distance from helmet to eyebrow V-shape straps around each ear One finger between chin and fastened strap Have your child shake their head up and down, and side to side. Their helmet should stay in place and feel comfortably snug.

Hockey  Helmets

Children 10 years old and younger must always wear a CSA-certified hockey helmet to skate in City of Ottawa indoor arenas. However, helmets are always recommended for any activity on ice.  Bicycle helmets are NOT recommended for skating. Have your child put on the helmet so that it is not tilting backwards or forwards. Then check the following: One finger distance from helmet to eyebrow One finger between the chinstrap and chin Helmet does not move Have your child shake their head up and down, and side to side. Their helmet should stay in place and feel comfortably snug. Helmets are recommended for all ages while taking part in recreational activities.

Safe Playground Fun

Playgrounds are a great place to have fun and be active with your child!

Did you know that playing outdoors has many benefits for your child? They include:

• Improved mental and emotional health
• Improved physical health and muscle strength
• Better concentration and higher grades in school

Playing outside is important for your child’s development. It is also important to keep your child safe from preventable injuries.  Here are the most common injuries:

• Falls from monkey bars for children, aged 4 to 10. Many of these falls result in a broken bone or head and neck injury.
• Infants and teens are more likely to be injured on the swings. Infants need to be able to sit up on their own before being on a swing. 

Most of these injuries are preventable through:

• Active supervision for the age and development of the child
• Following simple safety guidelines

Playground Safety Tips for Parents:

• Stay close enough that you can take action if needed. Stay alert, pay close attention, and anticipate hazards.
• Remember the 5 under 5 rule! If your child is 5 years old or younger, encourage play on equipment that is less than 5 feet in height.
• Avoid distractions, such as reading and cell phone use.  
• Avoid using playground equipment in the winter. It is more dangerous to fall on frozen ground.
• Have your child wear rubber soled shoes with tied laces.
• Call your local park authority at 311 or your school office, if there are any hazards such as sharp objects or garbage in or around the playground area.
• For more playground safety tips, go to Parachute Canada.

While at the playground encourage your child to:

• Wait their turn
• Slide down feet first
• Use the equipment as it was meant to be used
• Keep away from moving swings and the bottom of slides
• Do not use the equipment when it is wet since it can be extra slippery
• Walk away from bullying and unsafe situations
• Before using the playground, remove helmets, scarves, drawstrings and cords

Keep bikes and bags away from equipment and play area to prevent tripping

Backyard Play Structures

Backyard play structures should meet the Canadian Standards Association Canadian Playground Safety Standards. Some of the standards are:

• Surface area around playground equipment should be deep with a soft surface such as:
  • sand
  • pea gravel
  • mulch
  • rubber chips.
• Surface depth for children 5 years old and younger should be 15 cm (6 inches) and 30 cm (12 inches) for older children.
• Openings in the equipment should be less than 9 cm (3.5 inches) or greater than 22.5 cm (9 inches). This is to prevent a child’s head from getting stuck.

For more information on playground equipment standards, go to Canadian Standards Association or call 1-800-463-6727.

It is important to know that backyard trampolines can cause serious injuries. These injuries can happen even when adults are supervising and with the use of safety nets.  The Canadian Pediatric Society recommends “trampolines should not be used as play equipment.”  For more information go to Canadian Paediatric Society, Caring for Kids.

Remember, backyard kiddy pools are a potential hazard for drownings.  Active supervision of your child and emptying the kiddy pool after use, will help keep your child safe.  For information on water safety, go to Parenting in Ottawa or call Ottawa Public Health Info Centre at 613-PARENTS [613-727-3687]  (TTY: 613-580-9656).

Check Ottawa Parks for a list of playgrounds in your neighbourhood.  

Did you know that drowning can occur in as little as 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water? According to the Canadian Paediatric Society, drowning is the second most common cause of death for children less than 5 years of age.

General Safety

To keep your kids safe around water, follow these tips:

• Your child should always be within arm's reach of an adult when they are in or around water. This includes pools, bathtubs, bodies of water, and other water sources. They should never be alone, even for a moment.
• Your child should wear lifejackets or personal flotation devices in and around water.
• Your baby should be held by an adult if they cannot yet sit without support.
• Swimming lessons are great for your child but alone, they will not protect or prevent your child from drowning.
• Know what do in an emergency, including CPR and calling 9-1-1.

Backyard Pools

According to Parachute, nearly half of all child drownings occur in backyard swimming pools. Follow these tips to help ensure pool safety:

• Your child must be supervised by an adult at all times.
• Have safety equipment nearby, such as a non-metal reaching pole, a throwing line with buoyant aid, a first aid kit and a phone.
• Bring everything you need such as drinks, snacks, sunscreen, toys, and towels, before allowing your child into the pool.
• Use signs to show deep and shallow ends to avoid injuries that could occur from diving in the shallow end.
• Store chemicals properly. All chemicals, including chlorine, should be out of your child's reach.

New Rules for Backyard Pools

All pool owners in the City of Ottawa must have pool enclosure gates that are self-closing, self-latching and locked at all times, except when the pool area is in use. See Pool Enclosure By-law (No.2013-39) for more information.