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News Archives
The SMARTRISK Navigator's archive of articles relating to injury and injury prevention
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For the first time, the government of Canada’s Speech from the Throne has stated that it will “work in partnership with non-governmental organizations to launch a national strategy on childhood injury prevention”. See the release from members of the Injury Alliance, below, congratulating the government on its commitment.
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Carbon monoxide poisoning sends about 150 people per month to an Ontario emergency room, with another eight hospitalized each month. Adult males 20 to 49 years of age are at peak risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. Learn more about injuries from CO poisoning in the latest issue of the Ontario Injury Compass.
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SMARTRISK offers our enthusiastic congratulations to 2010 Winter Olympics gold-medal snowboard cross winner, Maëlle Ricker. Canadian students who have seen the videos produced for SMARTRISK No Regrets Live (formerly Heroes) and SNOWSMART may remember snowboarding footage of Ms. Ricker in a “Wear the Gear” segment. She notes in the videos that she always wears her helmet when riding.
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SMARTRISK is working hard to complete the transformation of our new travelling roadshow, No Regrets Live (formerly SMARTRISK Heroes). We are set to launch the new show in April. Here, SMARTRISK’s Alex Kelly talks with CBC television host George Stroumboulopoulos. He and MP Justin Trudeau are among the high profile Canadians who discuss their personal injury experiences in our new video.
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On average, about 950 people visit an Ontario hospital emergency room each month due to injuries from skiing and snowboarding. Young males have the highest rates of injury and upper limb injuries are most common. Learn more about injuries from skiing and snowboarding in the latest issue of the Ontario Injury Compass.
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With a dozen pedestrians killed on Toronto streets less than a month into 2010, pedestrians are invited to pledge their commitment to “cross the street as if their life depended on it.” The challenge is part of the iNavigait program, coordinated by Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and the Toronto Area Safety Coalition.
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The winter issue of Heads Up! is now out. Highlights of this issue include: an article on the transformation of our travelling roadshow into the new SMARTRISK No Regrets Live and a profile of our newest injury survivor presenter who talks about how a series of bad choices led to her ending up in a wheelchair at the age of 13.
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Each month, an average of almost 100 Ontarians are hospitalized after falling from a ladder. Middle-aged adult males are the most likely to be hurt. Learn more about ladder injuries in the latest issue of the Ontario Injury Compass.
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SMARTRISK is very grateful to all those who helped us generate more than 17,000 votes over two weeks as a semi-finalist in the Aviva Community Fund competition. Although we finished out of the top 25 ideas and thus did not proceed to the judging round, SMARTRISK will redouble its efforts to bring its No Regrets program to many new schools and students across Canada in 2010. Thanks for your support!
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Funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, a new study is being launched to find ways and means to collaborate among Canada’s four national injury prevention organizations: Safe Communities Canada, Safe Kids Canada, SMARTRISK and ThinkFirst Canada. See below for the full news release on the study.
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An average of more than 30 Ontarians each day are seen in an emergency department for injuries related to household machinery or powered hand tools. Middle-aged males have the highest rate of injury. Learn more about injuries from household machinery in the latest issue of the Ontario Injury Compass.
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SMARTRISK is calling on its supporters to help us reach the finals of the Aviva Community Fund competition. Ours was one of the 62 semi-finalist ideas that made it through one of three initial rounds of voting. A final round of voting takes place Dec. 2-16, after which the 25 ideas with the most votes proceed to the judging round. Visit http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf1059 to vote every day from Dec. 2-16.
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Just in time for your holiday shopping needs, the 2010 Kenzie Car Calendar is now available to order. Mr. Kenzie’s calendar features monthly photos of luxury cars he’s snapped in exotic locations, along with a smart risk tip. Canada’s foremost automotive journalist donates half the profits from calendar sales to SMARTRISK each year.
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Canadians are invited to sign on to the Vancouver Charter on Skiing Safety to show their support for the use of helmets during winter ski sports. Safe Kids Canada launched the charter on Nov. 20 at a winter helmet safety forum to encourage the use of helmets while skiing and snowboarding.
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Wednesday, Nov. 18 marks the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims, a day to remember those killed or seriously injured on Canadian roads, often in avoidable collisions, and those left to deal with the sudden and unexpected loss of people they love. This year's theme is Raising awareness of the number of deaths on Canadian roads.
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More than 125 Ontarians are seen in an emergency department for a bus related injury in an average month. Seniors have the highest rate of injury. Learn more about bus injuries in the latest issue of the Ontario Injury Compass.
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About 80,000 elementary school children in Canada will learn about safety at railway crossings this week as part of Safe Crossing Week 2009. Classroom materials were prepared by Safe Kids Canada and CN. Last year, 73 Canadians were killed and another 56 seriously hurt in railway grade crossing and trespassing incidents.
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SMARTRISK offers sincere gratitude to all who voted in the Aviva Community Fund competition to bring No Regrets to 250 schools next year. Among the 900+ ideas submitted, SMARTRISK tallied more than 4,100 votes, moving us to the semi-finals. Please vote again in the Dec. 2-16 round to ensure SMARTRISK’s is among the 25 ideas moving to the final judging phase.
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The fall issue of Heads Up! is now out. Highlights in this issue include: an article on how students and teachers will benefit from the new SMARTRISK No Regrets website, a profile of a young man who lost his life while skateboarding and the work his family is doing to ensure others will not experience a similar tragedy, and an article on collisions with wildlife.
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SMARTRISK has entered in the Aviva Community Fund competition an idea to train 250 new No Regrets schools in 2010. You can help us make it happen. The 25 ideas with the most votes will make it to the semi-finals and have a chance to share in the $500,000 fund.
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Failing to recognize we can act to prevent the epidemic of injury can be compared to the days when people routinely died before understanding germs and the causes of disease, says an editorial in the Oct. 13 Halifax Chronicle Herald. The newspaper lauds the injury prevention efforts of the Red Cross, Safe Kids Canada, ThinkFirst, Safe Communities Canada and SMARTRISK.
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A new national campaign to heighten the awareness of the serious issue of personal injury in Canada and a strategy to significantly increase the number of Canadians, particularly young people, to become certified in first aid and CPR training officially launches on Oct. 7, as part of Safe Communities Day in Halifax.
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A new report on childhood injury in Canada recommends altering the “built environment” to reduce the number of children hurt and killed every year. Modifying roads so they are more pedestrian and bike friendly would reduce the risk of injury and get kids walking to school again, says Dr. Andrew Howard in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
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Each month, six Ontarians are treated in hospital for a drowning or near drowning incident. Children and youth are at peak risk for these injuries and swimming pools are the most common location. Learn more about drowning in the latest issue of the Ontario Injury Compass.
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A new report by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation evaluating graduated driver licensing programs in North America has produced some expected results – and maybe a few surprises. For example, Canadian 19-year-old drivers are much more likely to die in a car crash than their U.S. counterparts.
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SMARTRISK’s youth programs now have their own website, where students, teachers, parents, sponsors and anyone else interested in youth injury can find what they need online. No Regrets students can download activities and events to organize in their schools, parents can get advice on talking to teens about risk and interested visitors can find out about SMARTRISK’s philosophy.
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Canada’s suicide rate is in the top third of all countries. Yet it’s one of the few developed countries that has not yet adopted a national suicide prevention strategy, says the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention, as it marks World Suicide Prevention Day on Sept. 10.
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On average, close to 80 people in Ontario each day visit an emergency department for cycling injuries. Children and youth, especially boys, represent the majority of cases. Learn more about injuries from cycling in this issue of the Ontario Injury Compass.
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SMARTRISK’s newly published The Economic Burden of Injury in Canada is featured in an article in The Globe and Mail today by André Picard. As Mr. Picard notes, “Injuries sustained in everyday activities, from bone-breaking falls to motor-vehicle crashes that rip families apart, cost the Canadian economy a staggering $19.8-billion a year.”
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Injury costs Canadians $19.8 billion annually – more than $600 for each man, woman and child in the country, according to a new report released by SMARTRISK today, The Economic Burden of Injury in Canada. In fact, injury – from falls, traffic, drowning, suicide, violence and other means – remains the leading cause of death for Canadians aged one to 44, taking the lives of 13,667 people in 2004.
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New research suggests chatting on a cellphone while driving may not be as dangerous as some have suggested – but that texting while driving is highly risky as it takes drivers’ eyes from the road for long periods of time. The researchers warn widespread texting has the potential to create a crash epidemic and should be banned.
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On average, each month 20 people are hospitalized in Ontario for a condition related to exposure to excessive heat, cold or other forces of nature. Most involve heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Learn more about injuries due to forces of nature in the July issue of the Ontario Injury Compass.
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Canada’s anti-drinking and driving campaigns are superior to some others, in that not only do they warn of negative consequences for drunk driving but they also offer alternatives, says a new study from the University of Regina. Of five countries studied, Canada had the greatest number of different campaigns, along with a lower fatality rate than the United States.
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Challenges to Canada’s impaired driving system are growing, a Traffic Injury Research Foundation survey of Canadian lawyers suggests. Those charged with criminal drinking and driving offences are less likely to plead guilty and are more likely to take their chances at trial, leading to increasing backlogs and court delays.
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SMARTRISK extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Kelowna, B.C., resident Andrew Walker, 21, who lost his life in a recent skateboarding incident. We appreciate the family’s wishes that donations in Andrew’s memory can be made to SMARTRISK so that other young people will learn from their tragic loss.
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Nearly 2,000 boating deaths in Canada over a decade might have been prevented had basic safety measures been taken, such as wearing a lifejacket, says the Canadian Red Cross. The agency has released the final detailed reports, these on boating, in its intensive analysis of 10 years of drowning deaths in Canada.
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Each week, on average more than 100 people are hospitalized in Ontario for an injury due to involvement in a motor vehicle collision. Young Ontarians aged 15-24 account for the majority of emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Learn more about injuries from motor vehicle collisions in the latest issue of the Ontario Injury Compass.
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SMARTRISK is pleased to announce that Edward (Ned) Levitt is the new Chairman of our Board of Directors. Mr. Levitt brings to the Board an accomplished career as one of Canada’s leading franchise lawyers. He is also a widely published author and sought after speaker. In addition, Mr. Levitt brings to SMARTRISK his experience as a parent tragically affected by injury.
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The spring issue of Heads Up! contains a sneak peek inside SMARTRISK’s soon to be officially released The Economic Burden of Injury in Canada, which reveals that injury costs Canadians a staggering $19.7 billion each year. We also profile our new board chairman who has a very personal reason for working to prevent injury.
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It’s Water Safety Week from June 6-13, 2009, and the Canadian Red Cross says its key message this year is to watch children at all times when on, in or near water. Learning how to swim is important but it’s not enough.
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A new U.S. report on graduated driver licensing concludes several criteria make for a system that can be expected to lead to the greatest reductions in teen car crash deaths: delays in driver licensing age, strong night driving restrictions and restrictions on teenage passengers.
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The spring 2009 edition of the SMARTRISK No Regrets newsletter is out. In this issue, you’ll find articles on the VideoFest contest winner; the new No Regrets website and an updated SMARTRISK Heroes; a personal story from a youth leader on the challenges of getting No Regrets off the ground in her school; and activity highlights from across Canada.
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On average, each day more than 60 people visit an Ontario emergency department for injuries due to falling from furniture. Seniors and children are most at risk. Learn more about these injuries in the latest issue of the Ontario Injury Compass.
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More than 18,000 children visit Canadian emergency departments each year with an injury due to products in and around the home. This year’s Safe Kids Week, from May 25-31, 2009, has the theme Home Safe Home. It’s intended to raise awareness of the many ways children can be hurt at home and how to prevent these injuries.
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Register now for the 15th Annual SMARTRISK Golf Tournament, to be held Tuesday, June 23, 2009, at the Glencairn Golf Club, one of the most picturesque courses in the ClubLink family, designed by renowned golf course architect Thomas McBroom. SMARTRISK is pleased to welcome Rogers Communications Inc. as our title sponsor this year.
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It’s Safe Boating Week and the Canadian Safe Boating Council says there are five key steps to safer boating: wear your lifejacket; boat sober; take a boating course; be prepared; and beware of and learn to manage cold water risks, which is particularly important at the beginning of boating season, as the water is still frigid.
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As Victoria Day approaches, Canadians are getting ready for the long weekend that heralds the unofficial arrival of summer. But as you prepare, be aware of the extra risks the long weekend can bring and choose smart risks that will keep you and your loved ones injury-free.
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The World Health Organization has released a special theme issue of its Bulletin dedicated to childhood injuries and violence, seeking to bring greater attention to childhood injury and exploring ways to lower the burden. Meanwhile, the European Child Safety Alliance has released a 24-country report on child injury.
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Road crashes are set to become the leading cause of disability and premature death for children aged 5-14 across developing countries by 2015, according to a new report from the Commission for Global Road Safety. The Make Roads Safe report urges governments help reverse this trend by supporting a Decade of Action for Road Safety between 2010 and 2020.
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Each day, an average of 40 people visit an Ontario emergency room for an injury due to contact with venomous plants or animals. Most involve being stung by a bee, wasp or hornet. Learn more about these injuries in the latest issue of the Ontario Injury Compass.
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It’s Emergency Preparedness Week in Canada in which Canadians are encouraged to take three steps to prepare for emergencies like flooding or a severe storm: know the risks in their area; make a family emergency plan; and get an emergency kit. New resources are available this year to help Canadians prepare.
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CN marks Rail Safety Week, from April 27 through May 3, 2009, by kicking off its Target Zero public awareness campaign, which seeks to eliminate injuries and fatalities through trespassing incidents and at railway grade crossings. In Canada last year, 56 people were seriously injured and 73 were killed in 287 such incidents.
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Ontario drivers will be banned from using hand-held cellphones and other devices as early as this fall, as the province’s new distracted driving legislation passed third reading on April 22, 2009. Drivers will face fines of up to $500 if they are caught texting, dialling or chatting on a hand-held device. Hands-free devices will still be permitted.
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The Canadian government has passed new safety regulations on corded window coverings to help prevent strangulation deaths among babies and young children. It is also proposing changes to regulations governing cribs, cradles and bassinets. Health Canada has reports of 28 strangulation deaths and 22 near-fatal incidents linked to window cords since 1986.
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Now that spring has officially arrived, many Canadians will be looking forward to spending more time outside enjoying the warmer weather and longer days. Gardening is the second most popular active living activity among Canadian adults, research suggests. Following are some smart risk tips for aspiring gardeners.
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Health Canada is seeking public input by June 1, 2009, on its proposal to restrict the advertising, sale and import of ski and snowboarding helmets to those that meet the newly developed Canadian Standards Association standard. Currently, snow sport helmets are not regulated in Canada, unlike hockey helmets, which must comply with a CSA standard before they can be sold in Canada.
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Many jurisdictions in Canada, the United States and around the world have passed legislation banning driving while talking on handheld cellphones. It’s no surprise governments have worked to eliminate the practice. We all have heard or told stories of nearly being hit by someone who has been driving erratically while chatting away, oblivious to everything around him or her.
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The winter 2009 issue of the SMARTRISK No Regrets newsletter is out. Features include: highlights of training sessions that stretched from Yukon through Ontario and Nova Scotia; a new activity idea based on turning lemons into cherries; details on the annual Videofest; and a feature on reducing the risk of injury during running.
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An average of 20 injured pedestrians visit an Ontario emergency department each day and three are hospitalized. Emergency departments treat teenaged pedestrians most often while seniors are most commonly hospitalized. Learn more about transport-related pedestrian incidents in the March issue of the Ontario Injury Compass.
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The Canadian Standards Association says it has developed the country’s first recreational alpine skiing and snowboarding helmet standard to help protect winter sports enthusiasts on Canadian slopes, and will soon begin testing and certifying helmets under the standard. Traumatic head injury has been cited as the leading cause of death among skiers and snowboarders.
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Until a few years ago, most recreational skiers in Canada didn’t wear helmets. It wasn’t necessary, many of them figured. They were competent, experienced skiers and weren’t about to crash head first into a tree or another person. Helmets might be useful for beginners, kids and maybe for snowboarders – with their high-risk jumps and tricks.
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Transport Canada is proposing that electronic stability control be required as standard equipment on all light-duty vehicles for sale in Canada, including passenger cars and many trucks and buses, built after September 2011. The agency suggests the technology could lead to 225 fewer deaths and 755 fewer serious injuries on the roads each year.
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It’s Brain Awareness Week around the world this week, beginning March 16. ThinkFirst Canada is sending volunteers into Grade 5 classrooms across the country this month to teach them, in half-day, hands-on sessions, how to prevent injury by using their brains to protect their bodies.
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“Personal protective equipment only works if you use it”, is the theme of this year’s Canadian Agricultural Safety Week, from March 11-17, which launches a yearlong campaign. On average, 113 people are killed and at least 1,500 hospitalized for farm-related incidents in Canada each year, notes the Canadian Federation of Agriculture.
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Effective April 1, 2009, the Office of Injury Prevention at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre takes over managing the Secretariat for the Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth program. SMARTRISK had managed the Secretariat since 1999. Developed at Sunnybrook in 1986, P.A.R.T.Y. is a one-day, in-hospital, injury awareness and prevention program for youth.
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Each month, close to 700 people visit an Ontario emergency department for injuries related to contact with hot water or food. Young children are at highest risk, followed by teenagers and young adults. Learn more about injuries due to contact with hot water or food in the February issue of the Ontario Injury Compass.
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The Brain Injury Association of Canada is organizing an email letter campaign to urge the Canadian government to enforce minimum standards for sport helmets, and in particular, to help pass Dr. Hedy Fry’s private member’s bill to enforce national standards for snow sport helmets.
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As we get closer to spring, temperatures across Canada are fluctuating, with bitter cold temperatures followed by spring-like thaws. As the days lengthen and begin to warm, it’s important to be aware of the hazards of ice-related activities: dozens of Canadians die every year by falling through weak ice cover.
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Liberal Member of Parliament Dr. Hedy Fry is reintroducing a private member’s bill on Feb. 5, 2009, which would enforce national standards for snow sport helmets. The former physician says she hopes to convince the current federal Minister of Health to fast-track the legislation.
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The Canadian Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion Conference, originally scheduled for November 2009, has been postponed until the fall of 2011. The decision was made by conference partners Safe Communities Canada, Safe Kids Canada, SMARTRISK and ThinkFirst Canada.
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Each day, an average of more than 60 people in Ontario visit an emergency department for injuries from a fall involving ice and snow. The highest rates of injury are found among older adults. Learn more about injuries from falls on ice and snow in the January issue of the Ontario Injury Compass.
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Just as pedestrians and vehicle owners are warned to be cautious near railway property, it’s important for snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle operators to take the same care. CN is running advertisements in targeted community newspapers warning of the risks of riding near railway tracks, with the slogan, Don’t Put Your Life on Our Line.
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The redesigned SMARTRISK national newsletter, Heads Up!, has just been released. This issue contains: a profile of a new Heroes presenter, who survived his car being hit by a freight train; an update on our SMARTRISK No Regrets program, including a national award recently bestowed on it; a perspective from our President and CEO on the year to come at SMARTRISK; and tips for preventing injuries while snowmobiling.
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Many parts of Canada are suffering through bitterly cold winter temperatures this year. We offer you some tips on how you and your family can participate in the many fun winter activities this country has to offer while minimizing your risk of suffering from frostbite or hypothermia.
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The Ontario Alliance for Action on Brain Injury is applauding a new Ontario Hockey League rule that requires players to keep their helmets on with chinstraps fastened during fights. The decision was announced days after a 21-year-old hockey player died after striking his head on the ice during a fight.
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Professional hockey players whose careers and lives have been seriously affected by concussion injuries, including Eric Lindros, will be among those at the London Hockey Concussion Summit 2009 on Jan. 17. The players will share the stage with experts discussing the latest information on treating and preventing concussions. Athletes, parents, coaches, trainers and medical professionals are invited to attend.
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A dozen snowmobilers, skiers and snowboarders have died in avalanches in British Columbia’s mountains already this winter season. A weak snowpack is to blame for riskier than usual avalanche conditions at this time of year. Before heading into avalanche terrain, learn to manage your risks.
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Injury prevention, chronic disease and substance abuse professionals are invited to attend the 6th annual Alcohol: No Ordinary Commodity forum in Toronto on March 5, 2009. This year’s particular focus considers the links between alcohol and injury prevention, as well as alcohol and chronic disease.
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New research suggests driving while impaired – either by alcohol or drugs – continues to be a serious issue for Canadians. Especially during the holiday season, it’s important to be aware of the many alternatives to driving after indulging in the holiday spirit.
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SMARTRISK wishes everyone a festive and joyous holiday season. Children and adults alike can forget to take smart risks in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the activities. IMPACT, the injury prevention centre of Manitoba's Children's Hospital, has prepared a holiday tips sheet, which we invite you to read. Happy holidays!
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On average, each week over 40 people visit an Ontario emergency department for injuries from snowmobiling. Teen males have the highest number of emergency department visits and males in their early 30s are most often admitted to hospital for snowmobiling injuries. Learn more about snowmobiling injuries in the December issue of the Ontario Injury Compass.
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Every day, 2,000 children and teenagers from around the world die from an unintentional injury, according to a groundbreaking new report from the World Health Organization and UNICEF, released Dec. 10, 2008. The report describes the top five unintentional injuries and recommends action.
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The fall 2008 SMARTRISK No Regrets newsletter has just been released. This issue features the national award won by No Regrets; tips for dealing with media; activity ideas; an introduction to new SMARTRISK staff, including a No Regrets alumna and...
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On average, every day 38 people visit an Ontario emergency department for treatment for an incident involving self-inflicted poisoning. Females account for nearly two-thirds of emergency department visits and hospitalizations, with teenaged girls at highest risk. Learn more about self-inflicted...
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Injury prevention practitioners need to “pick more fights” to get their issues on the public agenda, keynote speaker, journalist and author André Picard, told delegates to the 2008 Ontario Injury Prevention Conference in Toronto. About 225 people attended the conference that featured compelling keynote speakers and in-depth examinations of injury issues.
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It would take up to 36 months for new drivers to graduate to a full licence under legislation proposed by the Ontario government. The new rules also specify no alcohol for drivers up to age 21, tougher penalties for novice drivers who break the graduated licensing rules and new restrictions on teen passengers.
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The 2009 Kenzie Car Calendar is now available. The calendar, featuring photos of luxury automobiles in exotic locations and monthly smart risk tips, is photographed and produced by Canada’s foremost automotive journalist, Jim Kenzie. A devoted supporter of SMARTRISK, Mr. Kenzie donates half the calendar’s proceeds each year to the charity.
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As Canadians head into another winter, Transport Canada has released a brochure with its top 10 tips to reduce the risk of a collision, noting “prevention is better than recovery”. It includes information about how to make your vehicle winter-ready, how to prepare for and drive in bad weather and what to pack in a winter survival kit.
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SMARTRISK is pleased to announce that its No Regrets program is the 2008 recipient of the Health Promotion and Innovation Award of Excellence, as chosen by the Canadian Institute of Child Health. SMARTRISK staff will be honoured to receive the award at the Institute’s annual gala in Ottawa on Nov. 20, National Child Day.
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On average, every week 30 Ontarians are hospitalized for an injury due to falling from a bed. Injuries to the hip and thigh in females over 70 years of age are the most common. Learn more about falls from beds...
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Halloween is a fun night for children and adults alike. But in their excitement at being out after dark trick-or-treating for their fill of candy, children may be more likely to take risks that could lead to injury. Here are some tips to reduce the risks while still having fun.
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The government of Ontario has introduced legislation that would ban the use of hand-held electronic devices while driving. Motorists who use a hand-held cellphone, send email or text messages or use other hand-held devices while driving would face fines up to $500, under the bill. The use of hands-free devices would still be permitted.
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The deadline has been extended to Oct. 31 for Canadian youth 19-25 to enter a contest answering the question, Road Safety – What’s it to you? The grand prize winner receives a trip to Ottawa to be present on the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims on Nov. 19.
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State Farm Canada and SMARTRISK are pleased to announce their new partnership. While a driver’s licence is a route to independence for many Canadian teenagers, car crashes are also the leading cause of death for young people 15-20 years old. SMARTRISK and State Farm will work together to help bring those numbers down.
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The Early Bird deadline for the 2008 Ontario Injury Prevention Conference, being held in Toronto from Nov. 16-18, has been extended to Monday, Oct. 27. Guests planning to stay at the conference venue, the Courtyard by Marriott, benefit too as the hotel discount deadline has also been extended to Oct. 27. Register today!
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Safe Crossing Week 2008 launches on Oct. 20, aimed at keeping Canadian children safe at railway crossings and away from trains. More than 100,000 students in over 600 elementary schools across Canada will learn about safety at railway crossings this week, with special lesson plans and educational materials developed by CN and Safe Kids Canada.
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A new keynote speaker has been announced for the Ontario Injury Prevention Conference, Nov. 16-18, in Toronto: retired OPP Sgt. Cam Woolley, formerly the colourful OPP traffic spokesman, now a traffic specialist with news station CP24. The full conference program is available at www.oipc.org. Register today.
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SMARTRISK staff and directors were deeply saddened to learn of the deaths of two men killed in the crash of a Canadian Forces Snowbird jet on Thursday, Oct. 9. SMARTRISK is honoured to maintain a close relationship with the Snowbirds, who serve as our Ambassadors. Our thoughts and prayers are with the team and their loved ones.
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If any further proof was needed that a brain injury can be one of the most devastating injuries a person can suffer, a new study offers more evidence. It concludes that more than half of Toronto’s homeless have suffered a brain injury – and that 70% of them suffered that injury before ending up on the street.
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Leading automotive journalist Jim Kenzie says it wasn’t luck or divine intervention that got him and his navigator out of their Targa Newfoundland rally high-speed crash with nothing more serious than bruises. Although the car was a writeoff, he says he and his partner followed the SMARTRISK messages to Buckle Up and Wear the Gear.
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Young and new workers are the focus of a new workplace safety awareness campaign in Ontario launched by the Industrial Accident Prevention Association. Young workers are twice as likely to be victims of work-related injuries as adults, research shows, and are five times as likely to be hurt during their first four weeks on the job.
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Canada’s children are under threat from a crisis caused by preventable injuries that are needlessly shortening the lives of our kids, says Safe Communities Canada in an Oct. 1 release marking National Safe Communities Day. The theme for this year’s day, Leaders for Tomorrow, recognizes volunteers, practitioners, institutions and other community members who promote a culture of safety and injury prevention.
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On average, each hour three people visit an emergency department for an injury due to a sport-related collision with another person. Hockey injuries in males 15-19 years of age contribute to the majority of emergency visits and hospitalizations. Find out more in September's Ontario Injury Compass.
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The fall 2008 edition of SMARTRISK’s newsletter, Heads Up! features an article on medical students who perform research for SMARTRISK; a profile of new President and CEO Bob Baker, along with his initial point-of-view column; reducing the risks of childhood falls in the home; and recent research in the field of injury prevention.
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André Picard, public health reporter at The Globe and Mail and one of Canada’s top public policy writers, and Michael Adams, president of Environics and best-selling author, have been announced as keynote speakers for the Ontario Injury Prevention Conference, to be held Nov. 16-18 in Toronto.
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SMARTRISK and its national partners in injury prevention are encouraging Canadians to take the opportunity during the federal election campaign to ask their local candidates where they stand on the issue of injury prevention and whether they would commit to putting in place a National Injury Prevention Strategy.
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Entering its sixth year, SMARTRISK No Regrets continues to expand across Canada, welcoming new sponsors, adding more schools and developing exciting, new resources for students to spread the smart risk messages. Here’s a look at what’s new in SMARTRISK’s peer leadership program for Canadian high schools.
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The Ontario Medical Association is calling on the province to “take action to curb the use of cellphones while driving.” The OMA has released a report, summarizing the evidence that driving while talking on the phone increases the crash risk. The report makes a number of recommendations.
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SMARTRISK congratulates Michelle Stilwell for setting two world record times on her way to winning two gold medals for Canada in 100-metre and 200-metre wheelchair races at the Paralympic Games in Beijing. Michelle is a SMARTRISK Heroes injury survivor presenter.
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Many high school students spend virtually no time thinking about injury or about their risk of getting hurt. But if they do contemplate being in a car crash, for example, they expect they’ll fully recover in hospital. These insights are contained in a study of Toronto high school students who took part in an injury prevention program.
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SMARTRISK hosts its third annual Evening to Make a Difference at Toronto’s Carlu on Oct. 30, featuring one of Canada’s most accomplished astronauts. Dr. Dave Williams set a Canadian record by spending almost 18 hours outside during three space walks. Recently retired from active astronaut status, Dr. Williams will show some remarkable video and share his views on managing risk to prevent injury.
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New research suggests Ontario’s bicycle helmet legislation has helped reduce the number of children killed in bicycle crashes. An average of six child cyclists under the age of 16 have lost their lives each year since the law took effect in 1995; that’s compared to 13 annually before the law was passed.
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More than 75 people per day visit Ontario emergency departments due to injuries from an unarmed brawl or fight and more than three people are hospitalized. Most are young males.
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We've been on hiatus from posting new stories on the SMARTRISK Navigator as we have taken a few weeks over the summer to move the website over to a new publishing system. The new system is now up, and we will be back to our usual postings.
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Mark your calendars for the 2008 Ontario Injury Prevention Conference, Blazing Trails:
Exploring New Frontiers in Injury Prevention, Nov. 16-18, at the Courtyard by Marriott in Toronto. Don’t miss out on this unique conference opportunity to blaze trails and explore new frontiers in injury prevention.
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On average, more than 15 people each day are seen in Ontario emergency departments for injuries related to all-terrain vehicles. More than one person is hospitalized each day for an ATV injury; males 15-19 are most commonly injured. Learn more about injuries associated with ATVs in July's Ontario Injury Compass.
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Hot tubs are becoming increasingly popular in the backyard and at the cottage as a way to soak sore muscles or relax at the end of the day. Before you install your hot tub, however, it’s important to recognize and manage the risks of injury and drowning.
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You may think you know how much alcohol you can tolerate before you’re impaired. But did you know that being on the water intensifies alcohol’s effects? Motion, sunlight, heat and waves can all magnify the effects of alcohol, which is why it makes sense to postpone any drinking until you’re out of the water.
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With temperatures rising, exposed toes are becoming all the rage. Flip-flops and sandals rule the sidewalk as our feet try to beat the heat. With the warm weather parade of pedicures, it is crucial to consider these guidelines to maintain tip-top toes!
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For many Canadians, summer means leaving the steamy cities for the peace and tranquillity of cottage country. However, summer activities can present some unique fire hazards, so follow these risk-management tips from the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal to help keep your summer retreat safe.
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At this time of year, camping can be an enjoyable and exciting recreational activity. With lots of beautiful campgrounds across Canada, it's no wonder camping has become such a popular activity for families, youth and adventure-seekers. However, before you head off into the great outdoors, remember to bring along these risk management tips.
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Half as many Canadians died in motor vehicle crashes in 2004 as 25 years earlier, a newly released Statistics Canada report finds. Yet crashes remain a leading cause of death for young people, especially males. Almost 98,000 people were killed in crashes during the study period from 1979 to 2004.
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On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Bob Baker as the new President & CEO of SMARTRISK, effective Aug. 5, 2008. SMARTRISK, founded in 1991 by pediatric heart surgeon Dr. Robert Conn, is a national charity dedicated to preventing injuries and saving lives.
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Joining a painting company can be an attractive summer job opportunity, offering good pay, outdoor work, and in many cases the opportunity to manage a paint crew. It is important to be aware that painting also has some inherent risks, such as falls, dangers posed by power lines and excessive exposure to the sun.
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Ice hockey is the No. 1 source of team sports injuries seen in Canadian children’s hospitals, according to a new report from the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program, followed closely by soccer and basketball. Team sports injuries send nearly three times as many boys to hospital as girls.
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