Health Canada
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First Nations & Inuit Health

An Environmental Health Activity Booklet for Inuit Kids

Poster

Buddy the dog with the text bubble.

Hello friend! I'm buddy. I like to dig out environmental health risks. Let's find them together!

 

Introduction

The environment is anywhere you are - where you live, play, and learn. Your environment is indoors, outdoors and even under your bed!

Sometimes things in the environment can make people sick. The activities on this website will show you lots of ways to help your family and friends stay healthy. You can check your answers to the activities here.

 

Mould

Picture of the boy and the dog with the text bubble. Buddy (dog): "Mould can't hide from us!"

Keep mould away!

Mould can grow on just about anything when there's too much humidity from water leaks, cooking, or showering. Mould can be black, white or almost any colour. It often looks like a stain or smudge and it may smell musty. Exposure to mould can make you feel sick.

The good news is there are things you can do to help keep your home dry and help prevent mould.

Game: Find out how to prevent mould! Print out the following objects, circle the items that could help cause mould to grow by adding moisture to the air and draw a square around items that can help prevent mould by keeping your home dry.

 

Indoor Air

Kids ventilating the houseSometimes I like to air out my doghouse even during winter.

Breathe easy!

We usually think of air pollution as being outdoors, but the air in your home could also be polluted. Indoor air pollution can come for example from tobacco smoke, mould and gases like carbon monoxide.

Keeping the air clean at home is important.

Game: Print out this word search grid, and find these hidden words related to indoor air! The words could be up, down, left and right so look carefully!

 

Drinking Water

Water works

Character drinking water
If you need to boil your water,
boil my water too!

The water you get from your faucet can come from the water in lakes or melted ice. Typically in the North, water is naturally clean. But sometimes our water gets bacteria and chemicals in it. You and your family can help keep your water clean.

  • If your community receives a Boil Water Advisory/Order, you must boil any water you use for drinking, cooking, washing food, and brushing your teeth. This should be a rolling boil for at least one minute.
  • Use only cold tap water for drinking.

Game: Print out the two following images and circle 7 differences. Don't miss anything, watch carefully!

 

Food Safety

Keep food safe!

'Buddy' the dog and text bubble.Make sure you always wash fruits and vegetables with cold water before you eat them!

Sometimes, food can get contaminated with a bacteria, virus or parasite which can make you sick. You have an important part to play in making sure that you handle your food safely.

Remember to wash your hands with soap and warm water before and after you touch food. You should cook, refrigerate or freeze foods that can spoil within two hours.

Game: Print out the maze and help Lucassie and Tasiana get to the sink to wash their hands, fruits and vegetables!

 

Chemical Products

Read the label!

Kids looking into the cabinet with 'Buddy' the dog and text bubble.
Even I don't want those bones!

Labels often use words to show how toxic or dangerous the product is. The words are: Caution, Danger, and Extreme Danger. Labels can also use Warning Symbols.

Make sure you know what the warning symbols mean so there are no accidents. You and your family need to be careful not to come in contact with the chemicals!

Game: Print out the warning symbols and match them with their word by drawing a line.

 

Noise

What did you say?

Kids with 'Buddy' the dog and text bubbleIs my howl cool or annoying?

Sound is what you hear. Noise can be unwanted sounds that are unpleasant to the listener. Loud noise can badly damage your hearing if you are exposed to it long enough.

Game: Print out the following image and discover what it hides by coloring by number!

 

Look out for Health Risks in your Environment!

'Buddy' the dog with text bubble
Let's sniff out environmental health risks

Game: Print out the cruncher and play with a friend or on your own! Don't know how to fold the cruncher, print out the instructions below!

 

Answers

ISBN: 978-1-100-17883-7
Catalogue No.: H34-218/8-2011E
HC Publication No.: 11035