BAPS Charities hosted a Children’s Health and Safety Day on August 15, 2015 to educate children about leading healthy and safe lifestyles. More than 250 children participated in interactive and informative activities with over 30 professionals, educators, medical practitioners and volunteers from the health and safety field.
Research has stated that injuries at home and during play are a leading cause of emergency department visits for children. Addressing this, the Toronto Police Services, Fire Services, and Ambulance Services, provided fun filled and focused interactive presentations for the children about safety at home and at play. The children were taught skills in protecting themselves from injury and how to seek assistance if confronted with dangers. Mr. Ian Yuill, Toronto Fire Services, taught the children about fire safety . The children also got the opportunity to see and become familiar with emergency vehicles.
Experts from the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Centre for Healthy Active Kids, educated the participants about healthy eating with interactive food displays and informational workshops. They emphasized the importance of eating healthy meals as a key factor in the success of children.
Exercise and play are essential to development, as they contribute to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children. The event had sessions of physical exercise, and safe game playing. The Children’s Health and Safety day also introduced the benefits of yoga to the children and exercise to build strength and flexibility from an early age. Dr. Faran Vafaie, whose team hosted the Eye Safety booth, appreciated the volunteers of BAPS Charities saying, “The volunteers are all such wonderful people.”
BAPS Charities continues to service the community through a variety of programs aimed at improving overall development of each and every child.
