Browse by Age Group

• Preparing For A Baby
• Newborns
• Toddlers
• Kids

Preparing For A Baby

• Allergen Labelling
  Read before you buy Allergens have always been included in the ingredient lists of prepackaged foods when used as primary ingredients, but sometimes they are exempt when used as components of ingredients...
• Food
  Food is a big part of our daily lives, essential to our health and wellbeing. Learn more about the foods that are best for your children's growth and development—and how to handle and store them safely to prevent foodborne illnesses.
• Food Allergies and Intolerances
  Parents need to be alert to the risks of food allergies and intolerances -- for the safety of their own kids and others.
• Healthy Pregnancy
  Congratulations! Happy babies start with a healthy pregnancy. Get reliable information you need.
• Reading Nutrition Facts
  Making sense of the Nutrition Facts table Making healthy food choices for your children can sometimes be challenging. Following the recommendations in Canada’s Food Guide is a great way to start...
• Trans Fat
  Trans fats raise blood levels of LDL-cholesterol (a factor in heart disease) while lowering blood levels of HDL-cholesterol, which protects against heart disease.

Newborns

• Allergen Labelling
  Read before you buy Allergens have always been included in the ingredient lists of prepackaged foods when used as primary ingredients, but sometimes they are exempt when used as components of ingredients...
• Baby Bottles and Pacifiers
  Discard baby bottle nipples that show signs of wear and tear: a child could choke on broken nipple pieces.
• Baby Slings and Carriers
  Keeping your baby close, comfy and safe Many parents use baby slings and carriers to carry their babies against their bodies. While having your child close to you may be practical, there are potential risks of injury and suffocation that
• Car Restraints
  Make sure your child is buckled up properly in the car -- even on the shortest trips. That means using the right kind of children’s car seat.
• Choosing a Car Seat
  Don’t rush children from one stage of car seat to the next. Use what’s right for their height and weight.
• Cribs and Cradles
  What every parent should know Babies and toddlers spend a lot of time in their cribs, and cradles. To make sure yours is safe to use, check Health Canada’s Consumer Product Recalls to find out about products that have...
• Fighting the Flu
  Washing hands often is the single most effective way for kids -- and adults! -- to stop the spread of contagious illnesses like the flu.
• Food
  Food is a big part of our daily lives, essential to our health and wellbeing. Learn more about the foods that are best for your children’s growth and development—and how to handle and store them safely to prevent foodborne illnesses.
• Food Allergies and Intolerances
  Parents need to be alert to the risks of food allergies and intolerances -- for the safety of their own kids and others.
• General Toy Safety Tips
  Baby walkers are unsafe. They were banned from being sold in Canada in 2004 and should not be used by any child.
• Ice Safety
  Always inspect a frozen lake or pond before going out on it. Make sure you know where the ice is smooth and thick enough -- and where it isn’t.
• Immunization
  As a parent, one of the most important things you can do is have your child immunized against 13 vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Infant Care
  Keeping your baby safe, every day The arrival of a new baby is always an exciting time. But more often than not, your child isn’t the only new addition to the home — parents have to deal with the introduction
• Injury Prevention
  Stop injuries before they happen Every day, two Canadian children die from unintentional injuries and another 80 require hospitalization. These are staggering statistics as many could have been avoided had better preventative steps been taken...
• Lead-based Paint
  Lead-based paint is especially harmful to children because they are growing and absorb lead easily; even small amounts of lead dust are dangerous.
• Medication and Kids
  Doctors and pharmacists are specially trained to answer inquiries about using and storing medication, so never hesitate to ask them questions.
• Medication and Kids Under Six
  Avoiding cough and cold medications In 2009, Health Canada had manufacturers re-label over-the-counter cold and cough medications containing certain active ingredients to indicate they are not to be used in children under age six. Although these cough and cold medications
• Playpens
  Keeping your child safe in a playpen It is very important to make sure a playpen is assembled correctly before using it. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions completely, as well as guidelines regarding the weight and age of child the playpen...
• Poison Prevention
  Make sure children understand household chemical hazard symbols so they don’t harm themselves or others.
• Rail Safety
  Keep safety on the rails — by keeping kids off them It’s important for children to understand that trains and train tracks are not playgrounds. Oncoming trains cannot stop quickly, and walking or playing on train tracks is dangerous and...
• Reading Nutrition Facts
  Making sense of the Nutrition Facts table Making healthy food choices for your children can sometimes be challenging. Following the recommendations in Canada’s Food Guide is a great way to start...
• Safe Sleep
  Be informed — and rest easy Likely the only time you’ll leave your young child unattended is while he or she sleeps. The important thing is to make sure sleeping children are where they’ll be safe and comfortable...
• Safe Sleep Tips
  Never put babies or young children to sleep in products not specifically designed for unattended sleep, such as sofas or adult beds.
• Sports
  What can you do to make sure children are safe at play? You can’t prevent every bruise and scrape, especially in sports, but you can help ensure injuries happen less often and that they are less serious.
• Toy Safety
  To make playtime as safe as possible, choose toys that are right for your child’s age -- and follow all warnings, safety messages and assembly instructions.
• Trans Fat
  Trans fats raise blood levels of LDL-cholesterol (a factor in heart disease) while lowering blood levels of HDL-cholesterol, which protects against heart disease.
• When to Replace a Child’s Car Seat
  When your child outgrows or becomes too heavy for his or her current car seat, replace the seat. Check the manufacturer’s specifications.

Toddlers

• Allergen Labelling
  Read before you buy Allergens have always been included in the ingredient lists of prepackaged foods when used as primary ingredients, but sometimes they are exempt when used as components of ingredients...
• Baby Bottles and Pacifiers
  Discard baby bottle nipples that show signs of wear and tear: a child could choke on broken nipple pieces.
• Baby Slings and Carriers
  Keeping your baby close, comfy and safe Many parents use baby slings and carriers to carry their babies against their bodies. While having your child close to you may be practical, there are potential risks of injury and suffocation that
• Batteries
  Help keep playtime safe: Store batteries in their original packaging and in a cool, dark place away from household chemicals and food.
• Car Restraints
  Make sure your child is buckled up properly in the car -- even on the shortest trips. That means using the right kind of children’s car seat.
• Cribs and Cradles
  What every parent should know Babies and toddlers spend a lot of time in their cribs, and cradles . To make sure yours is safe to use, check Health Canada’s Consumer Product Recalls to find out about products that have...
• Choosing a Car Seat
  Don’t rush children from one stage of car seat to the next. Use what’s right for their height and weight.
• Fighting the Flu
  Washing hands often is the single most effective way for kids -- and adults! -- to stop the spread of contagious illnesses like the flu.
• Food
  Food is a big part of our daily lives, essential to our health and wellbeing. Learn more about the foods that are best for your children’s growth and development—and how to handle and store them safely to prevent foodborne illnesses.
• Food Allergies and Intolerances
  Parents need to be alert to the risks of food allergies and intolerances -- for the safety of their own kids and others.
• General Toy Safety Tips
  Baby walkers are unsafe. They were banned from being sold in Canada in 2004 and should not be used by any child.
• Healthy Eating
  Eating the right amount and type of food is important for all of us. Children aged two years and older can get the nutrients and calories they need to grow and develop by following Canada’s Food Guide.
• Ice Safety
  Always inspect a frozen lake or pond before going out on it. Make sure you know where the ice is smooth and thick enough -- and where it isn’t.
• Immunization
  As a parent, one of the most important things you can do is have your child immunized against 13 vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Injury Prevention
  Stop injuries before they happen Every day, two Canadian children die from unintentional injuries and another 80 require hospitalization. These are staggering statistics as many could have been avoided had better preventative steps been taken...
• Infant Care
  Keeping your baby safe, every day The arrival of a new baby is always an exciting time. But more often than not, your child isn’t the only new addition to the home — parents have to deal with the introduction
• Lead-based Paint
  Lead-based paint is especially harmful to children because they are growing and absorb lead easily; even small amounts of lead dust are dangerous.
• Magnets
  Small size, serious risk Many children’s toys contain magnets, and often those magnets are quite small. If they come loose, or if there is a small toy with a magnet inside, the magnet or toy can be dangerous if swallowed,
• Medication and Kids
  Doctors and pharmacists are specially trained to answer inquiries about using and storing medication, so never hesitate to ask them questions.
• Medication and Kids Under Six
  Avoiding cough and cold medications In 2009, Health Canada had manufacturers re-label over-the-counter cold and cough medications containing certain active ingredients to indicate they are not to be used in children under age six. Although these cough and cold medications
• Playpens
  Keeping your child safe in a playpen It is very important to make sure a playpen is assembled correctly before using it. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions completely, as well as guidelines regarding the weight and age of child the playpen...
• Poison Prevention
  Make sure children understand household chemical hazard symbols so they don’t harm themselves or others.
• Rail Safety
  Keep safety on the rails — by keeping kids off them It’s important for children to understand that trains and train tracks are not playgrounds. Oncoming trains cannot stop quickly, and walking or playing on train tracks is dangerous and...
• Reading Nutrition Facts
  Making sense of the Nutrition Facts table Making healthy food choices for your children can sometimes be challenging. Following the recommendations in Canada’s Food Guide is a great way to start...
• Safe Sleep Tips
  Never put babies or young children to sleep in products not specifically designed for unattended sleep, such as sofas or adult beds.
• Safe Sleep
  Be informed — and rest easy Likely the only time you’ll leave your young child unattended is while he or she sleeps. The important thing is to make sure sleeping children are where they’ll be safe and comfortable...
• Sports
  What can you do to make sure children are safe at play? You can’t prevent every bruise and scrape, especially in sports, but you can help ensure injuries happen less often and that they are less serious.
• Trans Fat
  Trans fats raise blood levels of LDL-cholesterol (a factor in heart disease) while lowering blood levels of HDL-cholesterol, which protects against heart disease.
• Toy Safety
  To make playtime as safe as possible, choose toys that are right for your child’s age -- and follow all warnings, safety messages and assembly instructions.
• Toy Safety During the Holidays
  Never leave a burning candle unattended. Always keep candles out of the reach of children and away from anything that can catch fire.
• When to Replace a Child’s Car Seat
  When your child outgrows or becomes too heavy for his or her current car seat, replace the seat. Check the manufacturer’s specifications.

Kids

• Age-horsepower Restrictions
  Youth under 16 years of age may not operate boats with motors over 40 horsepower unless someone 16 years of age or older is in the boat and directly supervising them...
• Allergen Labelling
  Read before you buy Allergens have always been included in the ingredient lists of prepackaged foods when used as primary ingredients, but sometimes they are exempt when used as components of ingredients. For example, the components of margarine are not
• Allergies
  A food sensitivity is an adverse reaction to a food that other people can safely eat. Food sensitivities and include food allergies, food intolerances and chemical sensitivities...
• Autism and Vaccinations
  What is thimerosal? Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative used in the manufacturing of multi-dose vaccines. It helps prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi and stabilizes vaccines so they remain effective over time.
• Batteries
  Help keep playtime safe: Store batteries in their original packaging and in a cool, dark place away from household chemicals and food.
• Bullying
  Bullying has had increasingly high profile in recent years as people have come to understand how deeply it can wound children...
• Bullying (Ages 12-17)
  As children get older, the type and range of bullying behaviour increases. While physical, psychological and social bullying happen among children as young as four, other bullying behaviour emerges as children move toward adolescence...
• Bullying (Ages 4-11)
  The cycle of bullying often begins between the ages of four and 11 when children are forming their own social identities at school and through other activities...
• Bullying Prevention Programs
  Canadian students suffer from bullying at school at rates and frequencies that cannot be ignored. The National Crime Prevention Centre (NCPC) is committed to providing information on school-based anti-bullying programs.
• Bunk Beds
  Bunk beds are convenient and fun ways for kids to share a bedroom. To make sure your children enjoy their bunk safely, be clear with them about the 'rules' of use...
• Caffeinated Beverages & Energy Drinks
  Caffeine is found in a variety of products -- not just coffee, tea, chocolate, cola and certain medications but also energy drinks and so-called energy shots. So how much caffeine is too much for kids?
• Car Restraints
  Make sure your child is buckled up properly in the car -- even on the shortest trips. That means using the right kind of children's car seat.
• Childhood Obesity
  Kids with excessive weight gain are at higher risk of developing a range of health problems in childhood and in later years.
• Choosing a Car Seat
  Don't rush children from one stage of car seat to the next. Use what's right for their height and weight.
• Cribs and Cradles
  What every parent should know Babies and toddlers spend a lot of time in their cribs, and cradles . To make sure yours is safe to use, check Health Canada's Consumer Product Recalls to find out about products that have...
• Fighting the Flu
  Washing hands often is the single most effective way for kids -- and adults! -- to stop the spread of contagious illnesses like the flu.
• Food
  Food is a big part of our daily lives, essential to our health and wellbeing. Learn more about the foods that are best for your children's growth and development--and how to handle and store them safely to prevent foodborne illnesses.
• Food Allergies and Intolerances
  Parents need to be alert to the risks of food allergies and intolerances -- for the safety of their own kids and others.
• Food Labelling
  Know what's in your children's food The labels on prepackaged foods can tell you a lot about what's in them, their nutritional value and whether they pose any risk of allergic reactions.
• General Toy Safety Tips
  Baby walkers are unsafe. They were banned from being sold in Canada in 2004 and should not be used by any child.
• Government's Role in Addressing Childhood Obesity
  As with anti-tobacco efforts in recent decades, preventing childhood obesity is a long-term effort that will require the involvement of many sectors: the factors that contribute to young people becoming overweight and obese can't be changed immediately...
• Healthy Eating
  Eating the right amount and type of food is important for all of us. Children aged two years and older can get the nutrients and calories they need to grow and develop by following Canada's Food Guide.
• Helping Kids Prepare for Emergencies
  Kids who are ready are kids who can cope Emergencies happen, and prepared children handle them best. Make sure your kids are ready to deal with potential emergencies by...
• How to Read Food Date Labels and Packaging
  Information about dates on pre-packaged food is a valuable source of information. Here are some terms you should be familiar with...
• Hygiene
  A 'handy' way to stay healthy Help your children maintain proper hygiene to stay healthy and prevent unnecessary illness by getting them into the habit of washing their hands frequently and properly. When should kids (and grownups) wash their hands?
• Ice Safety
  Always inspect a frozen lake or pond before going out on it. Make sure you know where the ice is smooth and thick enough -- and where it isn't.
• Injury Prevention
  Stop injuries before they happen Every day, two Canadian children die from unintentional injuries and another 80 require hospitalization. These are staggering statistics as many could have been avoided had better preventative steps been taken...
• Immunization
  As a parent, one of the most important things you can do is have your child immunized against 13 vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Lead-based Paint
  Lead-based paint is especially harmful to children because they are growing and absorb lead easily; even small amounts of lead dust are dangerous.
• Magnets
  Small size, serious risk Many children's toys contain magnets, and often those magnets are quite small. If they come loose, or if there is a small toy with a magnet inside, the magnet or toy can be dangerous if swallowed,
• Medication and Kids
  Doctors and pharmacists are specially trained to answer inquiries about using and storing medication, so never hesitate to ask them questions.
• Medication and Kids Under Six
  Avoiding cough and cold medications In 2009, Health Canada had manufacturers re-label over-the-counter cold and cough medications containing certain active ingredients to indicate they are not to be used in children under age six. Although these cough and cold medications
• Online Interactions and "netiquette"
  Kids interact online with friends, family and sometimes strangers. While most of these interactions are positive, sometimes the internet can lead to negative interactions with others: sexual exploitation and cyberbullying.
• Online Safety Tips
  Cyberbullying is the use of email, cell phones, text messages, Internet sites and chat rooms to physically threaten, verbally harass or socially exclude others.
• Overboard Recovery Techniques
  Know and practice the following emergency procedures with your family to lessen panic in an emergency. If someone falls overboard, sound the alarm immediately and then...
• Packing Children's Lunch
  Make it safe When you're packing lunches for your school-aged children, make sure you're being allergy aware. And if your kids pack their own lunches, help them be allergy aware, too...
• Parent's Role
  Bullying is a power struggle that is difficult to resolve without the help of an adult. In most cases, it requires only a few minutes of intervention to stop, especially if adults act immediately and in a consistent manner...
• Physical Activity
  Physical activity helps children maintain a healthy body weight and lessen the likelihood of tobacco, alcohol and drug use.
• Pleasure Craft Competency Program
  In most of Canada, you must have a proof of competency to operate a pleasure craft fitted with any type of motor...
• Poison Prevention
  Make sure children understand household chemical hazard symbols so they don't harm themselves or others.
• Rail Safety
  Keep safety on the rails -- by keeping kids off them It's important for children to understand that trains and train tracks are not playgrounds. Oncoming trains cannot stop quickly, and walking or playing on train tracks is dangerous and...
• Railway Safety Tips for Commuters
  When you're riding a train with children, stand well back from the safety lines along the platform edge until it is safe to board.
• Railway Safety Tips for Cyclists
  Be sure children know how to cycle safely near or crossing railways...
• Railway Signs, Devices and Warnings
  Keep children safe by making sure they stay off train tracks, and by crossing tracks only at designated pedestrian or railway crossings when it's safe to do so.
• Recreational Water Activities
  Tubing, water skiing and wakeboarding are all fun ways to spend a hot and sunny afternoon. Follow our basic tips to ensure these summer days stay safe...
• Reading Nutrition Facts
  Making sense of the Nutrition Facts table Making healthy food choices for your children can sometimes be challenging. Following the recommendations in Canada's Food Guide is a great way to start...
• Role of Government and Industry in Food Safety
  The Government of Canada is committed to food safety. Health Canada sets the regulations and standards for the safety and nutritional quality of food sold in Canada...
• Safe Sleep
  Be informed -- and rest easy Likely the only time you'll leave your young child unattended is while he or she sleeps. The important thing is to make sure sleeping children are where they'll be safe and comfortable...
• Safe Sleep Tips
  Never put babies or young children to sleep in products not specifically designed for unattended sleep, such as sofas or adult beds.
• Safety Around the House
  Sadly, injuries are the main cause of death for young children. What's dangerous depends on a child's age and abilities. Know your child and look at your home from his or her point of view to identify hazards.
• Second-Hand Car Seats
  If you are considering buying a second-hand car seat for your child, there are a few safety precautions you should take first...
• Small parts in Toys
  Small objects present choking, ingestion and inhalation hazards to young children. Any toy likely to be used by a child under three years old should be large...
• Social Media Sites
  Online social networks, like Facebook and Twitter, are made up of Internet applications that create online social structures that easily connect people all over the world...
• Sodium
  Sodium is a nutrient found naturally in salt. In fact, 40% of salt is sodium The body needs sodium to regulate fluids and blood pressure and keep muscles and nerves healthy. However, eating too much can cause high blood pressure, stroke, heart and kidney disease...
• Sports
  What can you do to make sure children are safe at play? You can't prevent every bruise and scrape, especially in sports, but you can help ensure injuries happen less often and that they are less serious.
• Sports Gear Safety Tips
  When your children are out playing -- whether in a team sport like hockey or for unstructured fun like tobogganing -- keep them safe by taking the right precautions.
• Swimming and Water Safety
  Where there's water, there's risk You might be surprised to learn that the second leading cause of death in children aged one to four is drowning. Here are some tips on how to help keep your kids safe when playing...
• Toy Safety
  To make playtime as safe as possible, choose toys that are right for your child's age -- and follow all warnings, safety messages and assembly instructions.
• Toy Safety During the Holidays
  Never leave a burning candle unattended. Always keep candles out of the reach of children and away from anything that can catch fire.
• Trans Fat
  Trans fats raise blood levels of LDL-cholesterol (a factor in heart disease) while lowering blood levels of HDL-cholesterol, which protects against heart disease.
• Using Second-Hand Toys
  Use caution when shopping for children at garage sales or second-hand value shops. All too often products sold at garage sales do not meet current safety requirements. Don't buy visibly damaged products, and remember...
• Water Temperature and Burns/Scalds
  It only takes seconds to burn Children's skin is sensitive and burns easily. To avoid burns: Put anti-scald devices on your faucets. Reset your hot water heater to 49º C (120º F)...
• Water Toys
  While enjoying the water this summer, remember: Inflatable self-propelled water toys are not designed or intended for use in open water. They should be used in pools under adult supervision.
• When to Replace a Child's Car Seat
  When your child outgrows or becomes too heavy for his or her current car seat, replace the seat. Check the manufacturer's specifications.
• Your Baby's First Immunization
  Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative used in the manufacturing of multi-dose vaccines. It helps prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi and stabilizes vaccines so they remain effective over time...