Environmental Wellbeing

Take a look around your home. Do you know what’s in your household
goods and products? Some chemicals can harm your health if too much gets into your body. Becoming aware of potentially harmful substances and clearing them out can help keep you and your family healthy

To reduce toxic substances in your home:
o Clean with non-toxic products.
o Dust using a damp rag.
o Use a wet mop to clean floors.
o Open a window or use a fan to improve
air circulation when you’re cleaning.
o Have a good ventilation system.
o Wash your & your children’s hands often

A change in season can brighten your days with vibrant new colours. But blooming flowers and falling leaves can usher in more than beautiful backdrops. Airborne substances that irritate your nose can blow in with the weather. When sneezing, itchy eyes, or a runny nose suddenly appears, allergies may be to blame. Take steps to reduce your exposure to allergens.

To reduce allergies:

• Avoid outdoor allergens whenever possible. If pollen counts are high, stay inside with the windows closed and use the air conditioning.
• Avoid bringing pollen indoors. If you go outside, wash your hair and clothing when you come inside. Pets can also bring in pollen, so clean them too.
• Reduce indoor allergens. Keep humidity levels low in the home to keep dust mites and mould under control.
• Wash your bedding in hot water once a week.
• Vacuum the floors once a week.
• Talk with your doctor about medications and allergy shots

Heat is the biggest danger in the summer months. Being hot for too long can cause many illnesses, some of which can be deadly. But the warmer weather also brings lots of new opportunities to improve your health. Here’s how to make the most of the summer months.

To create healthy summer habits:

• Do outdoor activities during the coolest part of the day, in the early morning or evening.
• Wear protective clothing, such as hats, long-sleeve shirts, and long pants or skirts to block out the sun’s harmful rays.
• Use sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, preferably 30. Reapply frequently.
• Use sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB.
• Try to stay in the shade when outdoors during peak sunlight.
• Exercise in an air-conditioned space if possible. Or do water workouts.
• Drink plenty of liquids, especially water. Avoid drinks that contain alcohol or caffeine.

The frosty air of winter can be invigorating. But cold air can also pose threats to your health, whether you’re indoors or outside. Learn to recognize the signs of your body temperature dropping too low, and take steps to keep yourself and your family warm and safe during the chilly season.

To guard against the cold:

• At home, wear socks and/ or slippers,  use a blanket.
• Wear a windproof and water-proof jacket if you’re heading into cold, rainy, windy, or snowy conditions. Dress in layers.
• If someone is showing signs of hypothermia, act fast. Get them out of the cold and into a warm room. Remove any wet clothing. Warm them up gradually. Cover them with warm blankets. Offer them warm drinks, but not alcohol. Avoid hot baths or heating pads. 

The combination of high temperatures,
few winds and breezes, pollution, and
airborne particles can brew up an
unhealthful mixture in the air, just waiting
to enter your lungs. These substances
can make it hard to breathe and can sap
your energy. If the air quality is especially
poor, it may take a few days for your
body to recover. And if you’re regularly
exposed to high levels of unhealthy air,
the health consequences can linger for
months or even years.
To reduce the effects of poor quality
air on your health:
o Avoid outdoor activities in the afternoons
on warmer days, when the risk of air
pollution is highest.
o Avoid strenuous outdoor activities if the
air is polluted. Check your region’s air
quality index, which is often reported in
the local news.
o Consider reducing the time and
intensity of your outdoor workout or
exercise indoors