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February 4, 2009
Download PDF version
HELMETS SAVE LIVES PROGRAM LAUNCHED
VAUGHAN, ON – A public awareness campaign called Helmets Save Lives, aimed at reducing
unsafe sports practices in Vaughan, was launched January 28.
“Our children are our future. We cherish
that fact and, while we can’t protect them
from everything, we can take steps to
protect them from preventable accidents.
This is one step in doing that, and an im-
portant one. It also reflects our continuing
focus on the City’s priority of enhancing
and ensuring community safety, health
and wellness,” said Mayor Linda Jackson.
“This campaign will, I am sure, save lives,
because it focuses on areas where strong
gains in the safety of our children can be
made.”
The program is the main component of the Recreational Sports Safety Initiative launched two
years ago. It was developed by Regional Councillor Mario Ferri and Ward 4 Councillor Sandra
Yeung Racco, who serve as co-chairs on the Recreational Sports Safety Task Force. The
mandate of the task force is to develop and execute an education program promoting safe
practices and injury prevention in high-injury sports such as tobogganing, skateboarding, skiing
and snowboarding.
In the task force’s progress report, the co-chairs said a pamphlet promoting recreational sport
safety has been developed and sent to every household and school in Vaughan. A website has
also been developed – www.helmetssavelives.org. Sponsorship for the program was recently
provided by Wal-Mart and SmartCentres.
"“We hope these initiatives will help people understand what’s involved when their children
Boards; York Regional Police; the City of Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service; and Dr. Charles
Tator, a neurosurgeon at Toronto General Hospital.
Research shows that tobogganing/sledding has been ranked fourth in Ontario as a high-risk
sport, behind diving, snowmobiling, and parachuting; it outranks hockey, skiing and bicycling.
Head, spinal, abdominal and facial injuries were the major types of injuries that occurred.
"The City of Vaughan is committed to taking all necessary steps to put safety first. With the
increased number of catastrophic injuries linked with recreational sports, the Recreational Sports
Safety Task Force has taken an interest in doing what we can to help prevent or minimize the
numbers of deaths and injuries," said Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco. "We feel it would be
productive to raise public awareness and provide education to our residents on the proper usage
of helmets, and we have developed a solid campaign."
In researching injuries and fatalities from recreational sports, the task force has been engaged
with:
ThinkFirst Canada, founded by Dr. Tator. This organization offers a comprehensive elementary
school-based program for students focused on preventing injuries.
Safe Kids Canada – Focused on municipal issues in child injury prevention. This is a public policy
body and advocates helmet safety. Safe Kids Canada recommends helmet use for such activities
as skateboarding, in-line skating and scooters, as well as skating, tobogganing, skiing and
snowboarding.
- 30 -
Download PDF version
HELMETS SAVE LIVES PROGRAM LAUNCHED
VAUGHAN, ON – A public awareness campaign called Helmets Save Lives, aimed at reducing
unsafe sports practices in Vaughan, was launched January 28.
“Our children are our future. We cherish
that fact and, while we can’t protect them
from everything, we can take steps to
protect them from preventable accidents.
This is one step in doing that, and an im-
portant one. It also reflects our continuing
focus on the City’s priority of enhancing
and ensuring community safety, health
and wellness,” said Mayor Linda Jackson.
“This campaign will, I am sure, save lives,
because it focuses on areas where strong
gains in the safety of our children can be
made.”
The program is the main component of the Recreational Sports Safety Initiative launched two
years ago. It was developed by Regional Councillor Mario Ferri and Ward 4 Councillor Sandra
Yeung Racco, who serve as co-chairs on the Recreational Sports Safety Task Force. The
mandate of the task force is to develop and execute an education program promoting safe
practices and injury prevention in high-injury sports such as tobogganing, skateboarding, skiing
and snowboarding.
In the task force’s progress report, the co-chairs said a pamphlet promoting recreational sport
safety has been developed and sent to every household and school in Vaughan. A website has
also been developed – www.helmetssavelives.org. Sponsorship for the program was recently
provided by Wal-Mart and SmartCentres.
"“We hope these initiatives will help people understand what’s involved when their children
Boards; York Regional Police; the City of Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service; and Dr. Charles
Tator, a neurosurgeon at Toronto General Hospital.
Research shows that tobogganing/sledding has been ranked fourth in Ontario as a high-risk
sport, behind diving, snowmobiling, and parachuting; it outranks hockey, skiing and bicycling.
Head, spinal, abdominal and facial injuries were the major types of injuries that occurred.
"The City of Vaughan is committed to taking all necessary steps to put safety first. With the
increased number of catastrophic injuries linked with recreational sports, the Recreational Sports
Safety Task Force has taken an interest in doing what we can to help prevent or minimize the
numbers of deaths and injuries," said Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco. "We feel it would be
productive to raise public awareness and provide education to our residents on the proper usage
of helmets, and we have developed a solid campaign."
In researching injuries and fatalities from recreational sports, the task force has been engaged
with:
ThinkFirst Canada, founded by Dr. Tator. This organization offers a comprehensive elementary
school-based program for students focused on preventing injuries.
Safe Kids Canada – Focused on municipal issues in child injury prevention. This is a public policy
body and advocates helmet safety. Safe Kids Canada recommends helmet use for such activities
as skateboarding, in-line skating and scooters, as well as skating, tobogganing, skiing and
snowboarding.
- 30 -
engage in high-risk activities without proper
protection,” said Regional Councillor Mario
Ferri. “Children are vulnerable. They really
don’t have a senseof the severe con-
sequences that can occur if they don’t protect
themselves. This campaign has three main
goals: to help prevent injuries to children; to
increase public awareness of high-risk
activities and to advocate for measures that
create safer environments and practices.”
Groups involved in the campaign include a
coalition of concerned residents; York Region
Health Services; Catholic and Public School
protection,” said Regional Councillor Mario
Ferri. “Children are vulnerable. They really
don’t have a senseof the severe con-
sequences that can occur if they don’t protect
themselves. This campaign has three main
goals: to help prevent injuries to children; to
increase public awareness of high-risk
activities and to advocate for measures that
create safer environments and practices.”
Groups involved in the campaign include a
coalition of concerned residents; York Region
Health Services; Catholic and Public School