Launch of New National Video on Healthy Home Environments in Waterloo Region

The Canadian Partnership for Children’s Health and Environment invites community members to join them to celebrate the launch of their new video “Creating Healthy Home Environments for Kids: Top 5 Tips” in Waterloo Region at the Multicultural Pregnant and Planning Health Fair on:

Thursday June 7th, 4:30 p.m.

Kitchener City Hall, 200 King St W., Kitchener

The video was created to help expectant parents and families take action to reduce child health risks associated with toxic substances commonly found in the home. Erica Phipps, Partnership Director at CPCHE, will be speaking and answering questions at the launch. To view the video, animated by Guelph illustrator Mariah Burton, go to: http://www.healthyenvironmentforkids.ca/.

Every home contains toxins that can be harmful to a developing fetus and young child. There are things that can be done to minimize the risks before, during and after pregnancy. Many of the actions are quick, easy and inexpensive. The video will cover 5 key areas: bust that dust, go green when you clean, renovate right, get drastic with plastic and dish safer fish.

Controlling house dust; switching to less-toxic, fragrance-free cleaners; taking extreme care with renovation projects; avoiding certain types and uses of plastics; and choosing fish that are low in mercury are the five priority actions recommended by the Canadian Partnership for Children’s Health and Environment (CPCHE).

“The greatest potential for harm from toxic exposures is in the womb and in early childhood,” says Erica Phipps, CPCHE Partnership Director. “The rapid, dynamic development of young bodies and brains makes children especially vulnerable to harm.” The CPCHE partnership worked with public health units across Ontario to develop and pilot-test the video with parents. The response was overwhelmingly positive.

Region of Waterloo Public Health will host the launch of this video at the Multicultural Pregnant and Planning Health Fair to make expectant and future parents aware of the risks and the things they can do to reduce the risks. Region of Waterloo Public Health was one of the public health units that helped to develop and pilot-test the video.

To obtain more information call 519-883-2006 or visit: www.region.waterloo.on.ca/ph.

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Media contact: Mary Mueller, Public Health Nurse, 519-883-2006, ext. 5025.