By Dr. David Butler-Jones MD, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada

There is nothing better than the “lazy days of summer”! Whether you plan to travel or partake in a “staycation”, you will likely spend time outside, enjoying the warm, sunny weather.

As we approach the summer months, it is important to be aware of the health risks that can accompany fun in the sun and understand how to avoid them. By taking simple precautionary measures, you can help ensure a healthy summer for you and your family.

ATTENTION NEWS AND ASSIGNMENT EDITORS:

It’s March break again, the time of year when parents eagerly try to find enjoyable and affordable activities to keep kids busy. With more than half of Canadian households having pets, fun activities are actually closer than many people realize. Pets can help kids learn patience, empathy and respect. PawsWay Pet Discovery Centre in Toronto offers up the following suggestions to keep the kids smiling this March break (while also teaching them about responsible pet ownership):

Want to get last-minute gifts that are thoughtful rather than afterthoughts? Then check out World Vision’s Christmas gift catalogue. The international humanitarian organization offers impactful items to suit virtually every budget while promoting the global cause closest to your friend or loved one’s heart. On their behalf, you can help an Afghan farmer, prevent the spread of AIDS in Africa, ensure education for children, and generally make the world in which they live a kinder, gentler place.

Which is one gift that truly is better late than never.

Alternative gifts, like donating to a charity, are rising in popularity as more and more people try to connect their global concerns with their everyday lives. In fact, eight in 10 Canadians – agree they’d rather receive something meaningful and memorable.

Receiving a goat for Christmas can seem a bit “out there” for some. Here are a few tips to bring your gift recipients around to the idea that their gifts may say “baaa” while doing a world of good this year.

Christmas is not only a time to celebrate with family and friends, but it’s also a time to be more conscious about the environment. Every Christmas, Canadians throw-out thousands of tonnes of holiday packaging, use more energy to decorate their homes and cut down millions of Christmas trees without replanting new ones. This Christmas, why not try and be a little greener? By fine-tuning your Christmas décor, cutting back on packaged goods and wrapping, you can give your Christmas an eco-friendly makeover. Here are some tips to make your Christmas a little greener:

By Dr. David Butler-Jones MD, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada

The holiday season is upon us, and this means attending and hosting holiday parties with family and friends. The holiday season is the perfect time for germs and illnesses like the H1N1 flu to spread. In order to stay healthy this holiday season it’s important to keep some general health tips in mind.

They won the Second World War, withstood the tumult of the sixties and seventies, and made Canada what it is today. Closer to home, they’re the parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents who loved and raised you.

They’ve given so much. So what the heck do you give them?

By: Claudette Mortimer

At the end of every holiday season, I promise myself that next year will be different. Next year, I will be organized and I will make a list. Next year, I will start my holiday shopping in August and finish by November. Next year, I’ll really get my act together!

Simple Tips Protect Your Vehicle During Cold Temperatures and Tough Driving Conditions

LONDON, Ont. – With winter weather comes salty, sandy roads, foggy driving conditions and limited visibility for your vehicle. But a few simple tips from can give your vehicle the equivalent of winter parka and ski goggles to protect it all winter long.