a young girl suffering from heat stroke while standing in a forest

Protect your family from the increasing risk of heat-related illnesses.

Children’s health is being directly and seriously impacted by climate change and inequities put them at greater risk. Climate change will affect everyone in Canada, but those already experiencing health inequities, will be disproportionately impacted²⁵.

Children are among the most vulnerable to heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses¹³.

Extreme heat was associated with a 22% increase in emergency department visits among children in Southwestern Ontario – based on a study that examined hospital and meteorological data from 2002 to 2019¹⁵.

Children most at risk of heat illnesses include those with breathing difficulties (asthma), heart conditions, kidney problems, mental and physical disabilities, developmental disorders, diarrhea and those who take certain medications¹⁴.

Climate change is leading to more and more extreme heat days¹⁶.

In the near future (between 2021-2050), the City of London, Ontario could see over 30 extreme heat days annually, and 60 extreme heat days by 2080 – that’s 3 times more in the near future, and 6 times more by 2080, than what the city experienced in the recent past (1976-2005)¹⁷
By 2051-2080, a heat wave in Ottawa could last for longer than 17 days. Historically, the longest heat wave would be closer to just 4 days¹⁸.
2020 is on track to be one of the hottest years on record globally¹⁹, with North America experiencing its warmest August on record²⁰.

We developed this campaign to give parents information and tools to protect their families and their communities. And we need your help.

Every child should have the protection they need from climate change and have equal access to a healthy environment. Learn more about what others are doing and what you can do.

Together, we can Make It Better.

Be Part of the Action

Help protect children from the health impacts of climate change and the inequities that put them at greater risk.

Steps you can take to protect your family during COVID-19.

Heat-related illness continues to be a health risk with children being more vulnerable to the effects of hot temperatures. Not everyone has ready access to an air-conditioned facility, and during COVID-19 finding ways to keep cool can require extra planning.

This factsheet from the World Health Organization provides important information on how to keep cool safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For Health Professionals: The Global Heat Health Information Network (GHHIN) helps improve the capacity of governments, organizations, and professionals to protect populations from the avoidable health risks of extreme ambient heat. Learn more here.

Here are a few more links to local public health units or municipality websites that have some information on heat during COVID-19.

5 Steps you can take to protect your family every day.

Heat illnesses are preventable. During extreme heat, the most important thing is to keep cool and hydrated.

Follow these five steps to protect your family and yourself in very hot weather: