Children and Youth

Vancouver Island – Water is the key to a healthy start as we head back to school.

Children should be hydrated and their best defence against bringing home colds and flus is proper hand washing.

“Get your children into the habit of washing their hands frequently. Make it fun. Sing happy birthday twice while they scrub or find a soap scent that appeals to them,” says Dr. Dee Hoyano, Island Health Medical Health Officer. “There is no better way to prevent colds and the spread of germs in schools and daycares than hand washing

Vancouver Island – School starts next week and while some children may be excited to see friends and get back into a routine, other children will feel anxious and worried. 

Vancouver Island – Circle September 22, 2017 on your calendar. That’s the day when asthma hospitalization rates for school-aged children will peak across Canada. This year, Island Health is hoping some common sense tips will help reduce the spread of illnesses that can cause serious asthmatic events.

Vancouver Island – Island Health would like to remind parents and guardians to keep button batteries out of children’s reach. These small, coin-size batteries are in many household products, making them accessible to curious children.

“All types of button batteries can be hazardous,” said Dr. Murray Fyfe, Medical Health Officer, Island Health. “Parents need to treat batteries like other dangers – store them out of sight and reach of children.”