Seasonal Health
To maintain optimal health, it's always a good idea to plan ahead for the seasons. In Niagara we enjoy a four-season climate but there are typical adjustments and preparations to make so that we can enjoy each one to its fullest, especially in the summer and winter months.
Summer
Beach Monitoring From June to the end of August, the Niagara Region Public Health Department will be collecting weekly water samples from 13 public beach locations along Lake Ontario and the northern part of the Niagara River and 22 public beach locations along Lake Erie and the southern part of the Niagara River. There is also one public beach at Dils Lake that will be routinely sampled.
Bike Safety The Young Cyclist's Guide to bicycle safety covering topics like "Getting Ready to Ride on Your Own", "Use Your Street Sense" (inclues a quiz for kids), "Protect Your Head" and "ABC Quick Check". A must for parents and those old enough to ride a bike.
Safe Summer Driving During the summer, tourists and vacationers add to the usual amount of traffic we face on our everyday routes. The weekends are also busier than usual, with people travelling to cottages, golf courses or one of Ontario's great tourist attractions.
Sun Safety Find out how to enjoy the sun's benefits without overdoing it. This Niagara Region Public Health information is practical and very informative and includes topics like "Preventing Skin Cancer", "Sunscreens", "Sun Fiction and Fact" and for the parents, information on "Babies, Children and Sunscreen".
West Nile Virus Information about West Nile Virus and how to prevent it, and statistics on any reported cases in Niagara. Includes links to up-to-date bird surveillance data, information on reporting dead birds, and larvicide application in the region.
Lyme Disease
Information on Lyme disease, an infection caused by bacteria which is spread by tick bites, and on its impact in Niagara.
Flu season occurs every year in October through May. There are many Niagara area clinics that offer flu shots covered by OHIP. To find out the location of the flu clinic nearest you, call the Flu Hotline:
905-688-8248, ext. 7443
1-888-505-6074, ext. 7443
Respiratory Etiquette Respiratory Etiquette: Cover Your Cough!
Tips for Shovelling Snow Shovelling the white stuff can have serious consequences if you approach it incorrectly. Learn how to do it safely.
Safe Winter Driving Your guide to save, efficient, winter driving: equipment, hazards, techniques.
Prepare for Winter Driving - Ministry of Transportation Safey Tips Winter driving, be prepared, be safe!
Driving in Winter Storms When visibility turns bad…driving in blowing snow and whiteouts.
The following links let you find more information on safe winter activities, as well as influenza, and other health concerns that may be of special interest to Niagara residents.
Influenza – FluWatch
The FluWatch website summarizes influenza surveillance activities in Canada. Weekly reports are produced during the influenza season (October - May) and biweekly reports are produced during the off season (June - September). You can view maps that show flu activity for your province and region.
Immunization and Infectious DiseasesInformation on the Vaccine Preventable Disease program and the Infectious Disease program, and on immunization in Niagara Region.