Risk Watch: Safety Education in the Classroom

To a child, there is nothing more exciting than meeting a police officer or firefighter. A new program brings these and other safety and community leaders into the classroom to enhance children's learning about safety.

The Department of Environment and Labour, Aldershot Elementary School, Nova Scotia Firefighters Burn Treatment Society, RCMP and Kentville Fire Department introduced Risk Watch, an injury-prevention pilot program, to elementary school students in Kentville today, Sept. 20.

Through the Risk Watch program, children practise making safer choices, resisting peer pressure to take dangerous chances and influencing family members and others around them to take action to reduce risks.

In Canada, the number-one health risk for children 14 and under is not disease or drugs -- it's injuries. Traffic injuries, drownings, fires and burns, falls and poisonings kill more than 7,000 children and permanently disable more than 50,000 each year.

"Accidents are predictable and preventable," said David Morse, Minister of Environment and Labour. "We have a responsibility to teach our children how to recognize and avoid everyday risks. The Risk Watch program is an excellent way to bring our community leaders such as teachers, police and firefighters together in the classroom to teach these important life lessons."

Risk Watch is the first comprehensive injury-prevention program available for use in schools. Developed by the National Fire Protection Association in collaboration with a panel of respected safety and injury prevention experts, Risk Watch gives children and their families the skills and knowledge they need to create safer homes and communities.

"Our staff looks forward to utilizing the Risk Watch program as part of our Health Education Program in grades primary to 5," said Sarah Tessier, principal of Aldershot Elementary School. "One of the general outcomes of the curriculum is that students will be expected to demonstrate knowledge, skills and attitudes that contribute to active healthy living. With skilled teachers, this comprehensive program, coupled with human and financial resources, is bound to enrich our curriculum."

Nova Scotia is the second province to implement the Risk Watch pilot program into its schools.