Children are too often injured and sometimes die as a result of hazards in their environment. Unintentional injury continues to be the greatest cause of mortality, morbidity and disability for children and youth in Canada.
This component is working to decrease the incidence of death and hospitalizations amongst children and youth in Canada through the development of resources for stakeholders. Areas of emphasis for 1999-2000 include: development of safe and healthy media images, integrating issues (eg. sun safety and environmental concerns, playgrounds), synthesis of relevant research for community mobilization and priority development for injury prevention (eg. economic costs study and community assessment tool, analysis of longitudinal surveys) and emerging environmental issues.
Keeping Our Children Safe
Children are more vulnerable to changes in their physical, emotional and social environments because of their rapid physical and mental health growth and smaller body size. The health and well-being of children depends on the safety and quality of their Physical/Natural Environments, Built Environments and Social Environments — at home, school and in the community. Children also need to be in environments which protect them from violence, abuse, exploitation, injuries and neglect.
The built environment has a major impact on the health and development of children. The built environment includes the buildings, parks, businesses, schools, road systems, and other infrastructures that children encounter in their daily lives. Children need protection and a safe physical environment. Protection from physical injuries is a key aspect of a healthy physical environment. Having well designed homes, streets, transportation systems and playgrounds will promote the safety and health of children and youth.
Many people are surprised to learn that injury is the leading cause of death among children and youth in Canada. What's even more surprising is that many of those injuries occur in the home. Many of these injuries can be prevented if parents and caregivers become more aware of how to make their environment safer for children. Injury prevention specialists have put together the following information to help families provide a safe home environment for their children.
As the demand on our transportation infrastructure grows, the lives and health of Canadian children and youth become increasingly compromised. Motor vehicle passenger and pedestrian injuries are the leading cause of death of children and youth. Also, among Canadians under the age of 20, cyclists account for approximately one-quarter of hospitalizations for road vehicle injuries. Although railway injuries are less frequent, the devastating nature of these injuries almost always result in death. To help you and your family stay safe en route, injury prevention specialists have come up with some tips. Choose a topic from the list on the right.
Road Safety: Pedestrians
Road Safety: Passengers
Road Safety: Cycling
Rail Safety
Although the impact of environmental contaminants on human health has been widely studied, few reports in the Canadian literature have focussed on the specific vulnerability of children. Because of their rapid growth, physiologic and metabolic immaturity, the fetus and child are often at increased risk from toxic substances in their environments. Furthermore, greater air, food, and fluid intakes relative to body weight compared with the adult, increase the child's potential for excessive exposures.
Children's Environmental Health
Health Impacts Bureau, Safe Environments Program,
Health and Consumer Safety Branch (HECS)
Water
Air Quality
Lead & Gasoline
Drowning is the second leading cause of death for children aged 1- 4. Teach your children to swim safely.
For more information, contact your local Canadian Red Cross or your local office of the Lifesaving Society.