Personal Safety and Injury Prevention
By being aware of the hazards in our environment and learning to protect ourselves, we can help to prevent injuries before they happen.
Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU) works with community partners to promote personal safety and injury prevention to keep you and your family safe.
We provide information, resources, and support activities related to the following topics:
- Child safety
- Intentional injuries, including suicide prevention and life promotion
- Road and off-road safety, including bike safety
- Concussions
- Falls prevention
- Sun safety and UV protection
In the community, you may find us at community safety nights and during Safe Kids Week.
For more information, current and upcoming events, or if you are a community partner interested in working together to deliver a program, please contact your local health unit office. Note that service availability may vary by community.
What we do
Some of NWHU’s services related to personal safety and injury prevention include:
Car seat clinics and checks
We offer car seat clinics and checks in partnership with community agencies and certified technicians.
At a car seat clinic, Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) invite parents and caregivers to have their seats checked at a specific time and location. Clinics work well during seasonal changes, such as spring and fall/winter as parents and caregivers may not be aware or have questions in regards to education around warmer clothing, off-market products, and when they switch seats or positions.
Outside of scheduled car seat clinics, NWHU can support car seat checks on an individual basis by appointment. Contact your local health unit office for more information.
Brain Waves – brain injury prevention
We support community partners in educating youth about brain injury by providing the Brain Waves program.
Brain Waves is a half-day neuroscience presentation that aims to educate youth on the importance of protecting the brain and spinal cord and provide simple strategies to prevent and recognize injury.
Bike Rodeos – bike and road safety
NWHU supports community partners in educating students on road safety, proper helmet use, and bike skills development by partnering with community agencies to provide a bike rodeo.
We usually offer bike rodeos, with partners, in the spring and early summer.