Here’s what you can do.

Get informed

Tune in to local forecasts or sign up to receive heat alerts on your phone so you know when to expect the heat. If it’s available, check the Air Quality Health Index in your area since air pollution is often worse on very hot days.

Don’t wait for thirst

Feeling thirsty is not a good sign of how hydrated you are, especially in hot weather, so be sure to drink water before you feel thirsty. Try leaving a glass by the sink as a reminder, and up your fluid intake by eating fruits and vegetables with high water content like watermelon or grapes.

Keep your home cool

If you find yourself in an overheated home, activate the air conditioning if it’s available.

If you don’t have air conditioning, close your curtains or blinds during the day to block out heat from the sun, and avoid using your oven to cook. If it’s safe, open your windows at night to let in cooler air. If it gets too hot in your home, relocate to a cooler area of the home like your basement or visit an air-conditioned space like a library or cooling centre.

Be friendly

Try to plan regular check-ins with family, friends and neighbours on hot days to help each other find relief. Head to an air-conditioned space such as a home, the local library or the movies.

Extreme heat poses health risks for everyone, especially for young children, older adults and those of us with breathing difficulties or other health conditions. It’s smart to stay connected to give and receive support.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article Simple ways to beat the summer heat est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Here’s how to make the most of everything Canada has to offer with a more sustainable summer vacation.

Go offline and get outside 
For a truly refreshing and restorative staycation, disconnect for a few days without reaching for phones or laptops. Electronics can disrupt our circadian rhythm and natural sleep cycle. Consider morning salutations or meditation to connect with nature and set your intentions for the day.

There are 37 national parks and 10 national park reserves in Canada, plus numerous provincial parks and local nature reserves to explore, meaning nature isn’t far from your doorstep.

“Camp” from the comfort of home  
Roughing it in the outdoors may not be ideal for everyone, but it’s easy to create a quality camping experience from home. Set up a tent in the backyard or a local campground, light some candles or a bonfire, and roast marshmallows and hot dogs using sticks fallen from nearby trees.

Try bringing food and snacks you already have in the fridge or pantry. If grocery shopping’s a must, consider carbon-neutral food options like Maple Leaf Natural Top Dogs. The Carbon Zero logo indicates a carbon neutral company to help you identify planet-friendly options for your cookout.

Support sustainable experiences  
Looking for a new experience? Try visiting food festivals or fundraisers in your area. These provide the opportunity for you and your family to support the community while also cutting down on your carbon emissions since you won’t have to travel far.

If booking a hotel or rental property, ask your accommodation provider about their sustainability commitments to choose an option that aligns with sustainable tourism.

Make staycations the new vacations. The more we explore our neighbourhoods on foot, the smaller our carbon footprint.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article 3 tips for a sustainable summer staycation est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Pick a theme
Choosing a theme is great way to get kids excited and it can join separate activities together into a cohesive camp experience – plus it just makes everything a lot more fun. Space camp, magicians, an enchanted forest, under the sea, a pirate ship, theatre camp or your very own Olympic games. Choose a theme your kids will be excited about.

Select activities to develop skills
Once you have a theme in place, pick some activities. Look to inspire fun, encourage play and expand their growth and development. This doesn’t have to be costly or complicated.

There are tons of online resources and tutorials that have easy instructions and printouts for activities that work on developing social, physical and behaviour skills. These are fun events that also secretly help kids practice things like hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and balance.

Choose games to grow
Host your own Olympics with games such as obstacle courses, hopscotch or throwing a ball to develop balance, coordination and body awareness. Train your child’s brain with a backyard laboratory for science experiments such as a sandbox volcano, water balloon parachutes or solar oven s’mores.

If your little ones are dealing with a learning disability, physical challenges or other health and wellbeing challenges, a health professional can assist with developing activities that are fun, accessible and engaging and developmentally appropriate.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article Create a DIY summer camp in your backyard est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Although they typically haunt allergy sufferers in spring and fall, some people face symptoms all year, even in summer. For those longer-term allergy sufferers, improving the quality of indoor air at home might help.

Here are some easy steps to cleaner, fresher air at home:

• Prevent mould growth
  Mould spores in the air can cause an allergic reaction or a rise in allergy symptoms. Mould grows in moist environments, like bathrooms. To prevent its growth, check occasionally for leaks around your tub or shower. Ensure your bathroom exhaust fan is working and consider opening a window during a shower. Allow the shower and its door or curtain to fully dry when you’re done to prevent moisture build-up. And, when cleaning mouldy surfaces, wear a mask to prevent breathing in the airborne spores and run an air purifier at the same time.
• Avoid VOCs
  Many home cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds, known as VOCs, which are chemicals that can affect air quality. They can also off-gas from pressed wood cabinets, panelling and flooring. To reduce exposure to these compounds, avoid storing cleaning products in your living area and keep only the minimum amount you need. When using them, open a window or turn on a fan. An air purifier can also help increase ventilation without opening windows. The same advice applies if you are installing new flooring or painting a room.
• Reduce pet allergens
  Dog and cat hair and pet dander in the air can affect your indoor air quality. Pets coming into the house can also track in pesticides and outdoor allergens. To reduce these allergens in your home, vacuum area rugs and carpets regularly and consider having your fur babies sleep in a different room from you. Consider a high-quality air purifier in every room where pets spend significant time.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article Why cleaner air at home might help summertime allergies est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Make a summer budget

Prepare a budget in advance for the activities you want to do over the summer. That way you can set limits on your spending, identify ways to reduce costs and focus on what you really want – and what you can really afford – to do.

A free online tool to help you start is the budget planner from the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada. The smartphone-friendly tool is designed to help people start and maintain a budget. lt uses insights into how people make financial decisions to create an interactive experience personalized to your needs.

Indulge in day trips

Travelling can get expensive, but you might not need to go far for some fun. Check out local travel guides to know what’s happening in your region and to get information about parks and festivals near you. Pack a simple picnic and make a day of it whether you go to the local pool or a local park. We are fortunate to have national and provincial parks in every province and territory in Canada. Spending time outside in nature can be a great and inexpensive way to relax and recharge our batteries.

Plan ahead to cut down costs

If you decide to go on a trip, consider ways to make it more affordable. Air travel can add up, so road trips might be a better option this year. You may wish to check out places off the beaten path since they can be cheaper. Research and compare restaurant and accommodation options in advance to help you stay within your budget.

Find more money tips at canada.ca/money.

L’article Enjoy your summer without stressing over money est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

For the first three weeks of June, it was possible to rend a boat on weekends, while since June 24, it’s possible every day.

The Saint-Jean Baptiste Day also marked the opening of rental centres in Bois-des-Filion (669, Gérard Street) and Saint-Eustache (53, 25^th Avenue).

In collaboration with partner cities, Éco-Nature will operate this summer those three reception buildings on the North Shore, in the wake of the recreational tourism project ERRE écomobilité.

Aiming to provide new access to the river while promoting the sites of interest of each of the participating municipalities, those drop-off points will help to reduce the pressure on Sainte-Rose’s site, the main gateway to the Parc de Rivière-des-Milles-Îles, which welcomes more than 130,000 visitors every year.

Novelty

This season, Éco-Nature and its partners will hold the Propulse ton été event on the rental sites of Boisbriand (June 18), Bois-des-Filion (July 3) and Saint-Eustache (July 9), with kiosks, animation, a family zone, games, prizes to win and discounts on boat rental for the day and on future visits.

Moreover, guided family fishing, grass fishing, initiation to kayaking and paddle boarding activities, as well as dusk kayak tours resumed the first weekend of June, while the immersive day camp Aventuriers de nature has welcomed young explorers aged 6 to 14 since June 27.

translated by Alec Brideau

L’article Éco-Nature’s Season has Begun est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.