SickKids will join millions of people across the world by powering down for Earth Hour on Saturday, March 27, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Last year’s impressive participation of 4,000 cities in 88 countries made Earth Hour 2009 the world’s largest global climate change initiative.

To continue last year’s tradition, exterior lights will be shut off on Elizabeth Street, University Avenue, the driveway and old Emergency entrance. Interior lighting will go dim on the McMaster-Atrium bridge, Atrium corridors between units, windows in the Terrace Café, the Rotunda and Atrium Fountain.

Emergency lighting will remain on during the hour for safety and security purposes.

Wondering how you can participate? It’s easy! Just switch off your lights at home or go out and join the Toronto celebration at Yonge-Dundas Square, where lots of family activities and a free concert will be happening. To find out more, visit: www.earthhour.org.

The scientists at SickKids are experts in most areas of health and life science. They spend their days asking tough questions and searching out the answers. Now it is your turn to ask them the tough questions.

Have you ever had a burning question about your body or about your health and didn’t know how to find the answer? This might just be the opportunity to get to the bottom of it!

You have the chance to submit your question and it will be passed to a scientist who specializes in that area. The best questions and answers will be featured on the Research Institute website: http://www.sickkids.ca/research.

Check the website often to see if your question gets posted. You can learn about what others want to know and if you read enough answers, you may even become a health expert yourself!

Questions and answers will be posted every two weeks.

Here is this week’s question:

Question

What makes a non-cancerous tumour different from a cancerous one? ~ Alayna, Age 24, London, Ontario

Click here to see the answer from Dr. Brent Derry, a scientist in the Developmental & Stem Cell Biology program at the SickKids Research Institute.

Did you know that medication is the leading cause of poisoning in children? Even the smallest amount of an adult medication could pose a significant or even fatal danger to your child.

As part of National Poison Prevention Week (March 14-20), Health Canada, in partnership with Safe Kids Canada and the Canadian Association of Poison Control Centres, is reminding us just how important it is to be conscious of the threat of unintentional poisoning. They are also offering tips on how to keep children safe.

According to Safe Kids Canada, the national injury prevention program of The Hospital for Sick Children, an estimated five children age 14 years and under die every year in Canada from poisoning while another 1,280 are hospitalized for serious injuries. A significant risk is when poisonous products or medications have not been stored properly or have been removed from their original packaging, making them easily accessible to children.

Health Canada is urging parents and caregivers to keep chemicals, medications, cleaning supplies and art supplies not meant for children safely stored in a locked cabinet or box, out of the reach of children. It’s reminding parents that if poisoning is suspected, call the local Poison Control Centre or 911 immediately.

The theme chosen for this year’s National Poison Prevention Week is, “Locked Out of Reach.” “Medication is the leading cause of poisoning in children, but household cleaners and personal care products are other common causes of poisoning,” says Pamela Fuselli, executive director of Safe Kids Canada. “We encourage all parents to take this opportunity and check that their medications and all potential poisons are in their original containers and locked in a cabinet or a box out of the reach of children.”

Visit the Health Canada website for helpful tips or to access its education programs like Stay Safe. For more information on unintentional poisoning and for tips on how to prevent them, please visit the websites for Health Canada, Safe Kids Canada and the Canadian Association of Poison Control Centres.

Some additional tips and information is available at AboutKidsHealth.ca.