Prevent tooth decay

Prevent tooth decay

Description

Have good oral hygiene

Use fluoride products

Adopt healthy eating habits

Check your mouth and that of your children regularly

Go to your dentist regularly

Tooth decay is caused by the sugars in food and the bacteria in the mouth. It is a common disease that affects the vast majority of the population. However, you can prevent cavities by taking certain measures:

health tips

Have good oral hygiene prevent drowning

Safety rules to avoid drowning

Aquatic and nautical activities are very popular in Quebec, which has around 300,000 residential swimming pools and more than a million boating enthusiasts. However, those who practice these activities must follow certain safety measures to avoid the risk of drowning.

Safety rules to avoid drowning

Limit access to the pool

Adopt safe behaviors

Limit access to the pool

Make sure to limit access to the pool by setting up the premises in a safe manner:

Inground and semi-inground pools: install an impossible-to-climb fence at least 1.2 m high around the pool to completely isolate it from the ground and the house.

Above ground pools: the rules differ depending on whether the pool is attached to an elevated structure or not, such as a patio or terrace.

above ground pool not attached to a raised structure: you do not have to fence the pool if its walls are 1.2 m high, because of these then serve as a fence.

However, you must install a fence at least 1.2 m high around the pool if its walls are less than 1.2 m high;

above ground pool attached to a raised structure: you must install a fence at least 1.2 m high around the raised structure.

Inflatable pools: install a fence at least 1.2 m high around the pool, otherwise, you will have to empty it after each use.

Install water filtration and heating systems more than one meter from the edge of an above-ground pool. This way, nobody can climb to access the pool.

Make sure that the opening of the fence or the door leading to the swimming pool is fitted with a safety device. This device must ensure the automatic closing and locking of the door.

Regularly check that the door closing and locking mechanism is working properly. Make sure the door closes by itself immediately after each use.

Example of security device ensuring automatic closing and locking of the door

When a ladder gives access to the swimming pool, this ladder must be removable after swimming and when the swimming pool is not in use. Make sure that the mobile ladder giving access to the pool has a safety door that closes and locks automatically to prevent children from using it.

Never leave a child alone and unsupervised in a swimming pool or near a swimming pool. Make sure you see it at all times. If he gets out of your field of vision, call or shout to ask him to get close or to make sure he's not drowning.

While watching your child, do not be distracted, for example by the phone or by someone else. In an emergency or if you have to move without being able to continue seeing your child, take him out of the swimming pool and bring him with you.

The fact that your children can swim or that they have taken swimming lessons is not enough to avoid any risk of drowning. Supervision of children during swimming is therefore essential at all times.

Adopt safe behaviors

At the swimming pool

Do not dive into above-ground pools, as they are not deep enough.

Before diving into an in-ground pool, ask the owner of the pool if the springboard and the pool meet the minimum safety standards for installation. To find out more about these standards, visit the website of the Bureau de normalization du Québec This link will open in a new window.

After swimming, remove floating objects and toys from the pool. This will prevent a child from accidentally falling into the water while trying to reach them.

In natural water bodies

Do not dive when the water is shallow.

Before swimming, find out about the depth of the water and the possibility of swimming safely.

While you are swimming, continually monitor the depth of the water. This can be uneven and vary quickly, even near the shore.

Observe the safety instructions and warnings concerning the dangers which may exist near lakes, rivers, or other natural water bodies. Always wear a life jacket or personal flotation device when swimming or in a boat.