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.

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

Winter Car Seat Safety Tips: Keeping Kids Safe & Warm

Winter Storm Disasters: Facts for Families

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.

Bug bites and stings are a common part of warm weather and blooming seasons. For many kids they’re just itchy and annoying - but for some, they can trigger serious allergic reactions that require quick action. Learn how to recognize typical reactions vs. warning signs of an emergency, what to do right away, and how to prepare before outdoor activities. Read more about insect stings from Nemours KidsHealth and download the AAP's allergy and anaphylaxis emergency action plan (PDF).

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.

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.

As you enjoy the outdoors, the AAP and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend “using an insect repellent product that has been registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These products contain ingredients such as DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or another EPA-registered active ingredient” – Choosing an Insect Repellent for Your Child (healthychildren.org). Use this tool to search for EPA-registered insect repellents to Find the Repellent that is Right for You (epa.gov).

Poison ivy, oak, and sumac are common across Pennsylvania, from backyards to local trails - and just a brush with their oily resin (urushiol) can cause an uncomfortable, itchy rash. This guide from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia shows you how to identify these plants in PA, tips to avoid contact, and what to do if exposure happens, helping families stay safe while enjoying the outdoors.

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.

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.

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:

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Overview: Lightning Safety

• Why We Don't Recommend The "Lightning Crouch"

• An Introduction to Lightning and Lightning Safety (YouTube)