Safe Environments and Injury Prevention

The quality of the air directly impacts the health of all people. In the short term, air pollutants can cause headache, nausea, dizziness, infection and irritation of the eyes, nose, and respiratory tract. Poor air quality can also have long-term and chronic effects, including asthma, allergies, lung disease, and cancer.

While poor air quality is a concern for people of all ages, children are actually more likely to be harmed by air pollutants, because they breathe in more air relative to their body weight than adults. Also, since children are growing and developing, the potential for damage to their respiratory systems is greater.

Indoor Air Quality

Children and adults spend a great deal of time indoors, and it is important to be mindful of the quality of indoor air. Problems with poor air quality can come from a range of sources, such as: tobacco smoke, pets, carpets, building materials, furniture, cleaning products, pesticides, printing and copying machines, gas appliances, allergens, moulds, bacteria, viruses, radon and lead.

The following are ways you can reduce the risks of poor indoor air quality:

• Control moisture in the environment. Moisture, vapor, standing water, and water-damaged materials are a breeding ground for mold, mildew, insects, and bacteria. Prompt attention to moisture problems is essential to reduce the risk of adding contaminants, particularly mould, into the air.
• Schedule painting, renovations, and repair activities for times when children are not present. Test all older painted surfaces for lead before sanding.
• No smoking. Please see the next section titled A Smoke-Free and Vape-Free Environment for more information on the legal requirements surrounding smoking and vaping in the child care setting.
• Use Integrated Pest Management techniques to monitor and prevent pests.
• Arrange your space to provide sufficient ventilation to high-need areas such as arts and crafts areas and diaper changing areas.
• Install window guards for safety.
• Regularly inspect and maintain Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems
• Purchase least toxic supplies. Install new products such as carpeting and furniture when children are not present and provide ventilation for 48 to 72 hours after installation. Choose low emission products.
• Sanitizing and cleaning products. Decide what products you will use for cleaning and sanitizing. Keep products in their original containers. Keep all chemicals out of the reach of children.
• Determine if you will allow pets in your program. Confine pets to a limited area that is easily cleaned and disinfected. Please see the section titled Pets and Animals in Infection Prevention and Control for more information.

Keep in Mind: The most effective way to reduce indoor air pollution is to remove or reduce the source of contamination.

Outdoor Air Quality

The quality of outdoor air should also be considered, as children and adults can be exposed to many different types of air pollutants when outdoors. You can take the following steps to reduce the risks associated with poor outdoor air quality:

1. Check the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) each morning at airhealth.ca
   • AQHI is a tool that can help child care professionals protect the health of children by limiting their exposure to air pollution.
2. Sign up to receive Air Quality Alert Notifications (Special Air Quality Statement or Smog and Air Health Advisory) by visiting the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Air Quality website.
3. Schedule outdoor activities during periods of the day when air pollution levels are low
4. Develop a procedure for communicating environmental issues such as smog alerts to staff, parents, and children.
5. Avoid strenuous activity and consider rescheduling outdoor activities during smog alert days. Hot weather combined with poor air quality can increase the risk of adverse health effects
6. Pay close attention to asthmatic children during smog and heat alerts, ensure they get adequate rest breaks and keep medication close by in case a child develops breathing difficulties.

For more information visit  Air Quality 

Smoke-Free Ontario Act

Under the direction of the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 (SFOA), places providing child care must be smoke-free and vape-free at all times, even if children are not present. This includes any outdoor spaces that children use, and applies to child care centres, places where home child care is provided, and places where an early years program or service is provided.

The sale of tobacco or vapour products is also prohibited in child care centres and places where home child care is provided.

Responsibilities of Child Care Professionals

The Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017 requires that the owner, proprietor, or person in charge of a child care centre, home child care, or early years program ensure that the law against smoking and vaping is respected in their facility.

These administrators must:

• Give notice to the employees and visitors to the facility that smoking and vaping is prohibited.
• Post “No Smoking” and “No Vaping” signs, or a dual “No Smoking and No Vaping” sign at entrances, exits and washrooms of the facility, in appropriate locations and in sufficient numbers, so that everyone knows that smoking and vaping is not permitted.
  • These signs are available through the Health Unit.
• Ensure that no ashtrays or similar items remain in the facility.
• Ensure that no one smokes or vapes in the facility.
• Ensure that someone who refuses to comply with Ontario’s smoking and vaping laws does not remain in the facility.

Smoke-Free Ontario Act – Fact Sheet

Check out this Smoke-Free Ontario Act fact sheet to find out more on how the Smoke-Free Ontario Act affects child care professionals.

Reasons to Enforce a Smoke and Vape Free Environment

• The Smoke-Free Ontario Act (SFOA), 2017 is enforced by the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit. The proprietor responsible for a child care centre, home child care, or early years program who fails to fulfill their responsibility under the act may be charged with an offence and if convicted, could face a maximum fine. For fine amounts and more information, read the SFOA fact sheet linked on the previous page.
• Many studies have shown that children are at greater risk than adults from exposure to second-hand smoke. This is because children have smaller airways and breathe more rapidly, causing them to inhale more pollutants relative to the size of their bodies. Children exposed to second-hand smoke are at risk for coughs, pneumonia, asthma, ear infections and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
• Children exposed to smoking and vaping are also at an increased risk for cancers and heart and blood vessel diseases in adulthood. Children learn by example and may witness habits that can impact them for a lifetime. As a child care provider, you are in an excellent position to encourage a smoke-free and vape-free lifestyle.

Next Steps

• View the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, 2017, for more information.
  • You may also obtain information on the SFOA by calling toll-free: INFOline 1-866-532-3161 or TTY 1-800-387-5559
• For specific information and resources relating to smoking and vaping laws applicable to child care centres, home child care, and early years programs, contact the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit at 705-474-1400 or 1-800-563-2808(toll free). You can:
  • Ask questions related to the SFOA
  • Access “No Smoking/No Vaping” signs to post in your facility

Teaching Resources on Smoking/Vaping

Children spend a lot of time in the child care setting, putting child care professionals in an excellent position to promote healthy behaviours and prevent the misuse of tobacco products. The Health Unit’s Tobacco and Substance Use webpage has teaching resources on smoking and vaping for educators.