Environment & Weather
AAP: Climate Change, Extreme Weather & Children: What Families Need to Know
Prepare for climate-driven extreme weather with this article from the AAP's HealthyChildren.org: Climate Change, Extreme Weather & Children: What Families Need to Know.
AAP: Cold Winter Weather
Review these excellent articles on various cold winter weather topics from the AAP's HealthyChildren.org:
Cold Weather Safety for Children: Preventing Frostbite & Hypothermia
How do I keep my children safe and warm during winter power outages?
Playing Outside in Winter: Tips to Keep Kids Warm & Safe
AAP: How Climate Change, Heat & Air Pollution Affect Kids’ Health
Extreme heat and air pollution affect everyone, but especially children. See this article from the AAP's HealthyChildren.org for more information on How Climate Change, Heat & Air Pollution Affect Kids’ Health.
Children's Environmental Health Network (CEHN)
Young children are the most vulnerable to toxic exposures. CEHN is working to enact true systems transformation to protect the environmental health of children in child care through its national Eco-Healthy Child Care® (EHCC) program. Creating safer and healthier child care settings–free of harmful environmental hazards–is key to protecting the safety and well-being of our nation’s children. View the EHCC Factsheets here.
Cold Weather Safety
This three-page guide on Cold Weather Safety (PDF) from the National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness offers practical tips to help programs keep children safe during cold weather. It covers proper winter clothing, outdoor play guidelines, safe sleep, signs of cold-related illness and infection control, and strategies to maintain warm, healthy environments throughout the season.
Reef-Friendly Sun Protection
It’s easy to grab the first sunscreen on the shelf, but checking the label is important for children’s health and the environment. Look for sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the active ingredients, and avoid products with added chemical sunscreens. Check out this National Park Service, “I Didn’t Know That!: Reef-Friendly Sun Protection” article for more information.
Warm Weather Guide
Save this Child Care Warm Weather Guide from the Iowa Department of Public Health with valuable information on warm weather tips, the heat index for outdoor play, and forecasting terms.
When thunder roars, go indoors!
NO PLACE OUTSIDE IS SAFE when thunderstorms are in the area. WHEN THUNDER ROARS, GO INDOORS! The National Lightning Safety Council was established to promote lightning safety education and awareness. We also encourage you to visit NOAA's comprehensive lightning safety to learn more about lightning and lightning safety. Additional lightning resources:


