Safety in Your Surroundings

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First Nations people and Inuit can keep safe by being aware of dangers in their surroundings. Remember, most injuries are preventable! Being aware of potential hazards in the environment can help keep you and your family safe.

Health Canada raises awareness and provides information on how to protect Canadians where they play, work and live. For information on injury prevention activities in your area, contact your Injury Prevention - Regional Office.

Playground Safety

Injuries can happen on playground equipment, including falls and strangulation from items such as drawstrings, necklaces and scarves.

>Playground equipment should be age appropriate for the child. Although playground equipment is required to meet Canadian Standards Association (C.S.A.) requirements, full adult supervision is always needed while children are playing on equipment.

For more information, visit:

• Is Your Child Safe - Playground Equipment
• Playground - Danger of Strangulation
  • First Nations
  • Inuit
  • Inuit Inuktitut
• Playground Equipment
• Playground Safety - Caring for Kids
• Playground Safety - Public Health Agency of Canada
• Playground Safety - Safe Kids
• Preventing Playground Injuries

Road Safety

Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of unintentional injuries among First Nations and Inuit populations. It is very important to learn how to keep safe while on the road.

For more information on road safety, visit:

• Bicycle Safety
• Motor Vehicle Safety
• Pedestrians - Walking Safe
• Seat Belt Safety
• Winter Driving Safety

Water Safety

Many First Nations and Inuit communities are located close to lakes and rivers. Knowing how to prevent drowning is vital to the safety of community members.

For more information on water safety, visit:

• Bathing Infants Safely
• Boating Safety
• Frozen Waters - Ice Safety
• Swimming Safety

Firearm Safety

The hunting lifestyle of First Nations people and Inuit increases the risk of injuries due to firearms. The following information is valuable to help protect from injuries or death due to a firearm.

The The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) offers Canada Firearms Centre - Firearms Safety Training, and information on Canada Firearms Centre - Aboriginal Peoples of Canada Adaptation Regulations (Firearms), including information on how to store firearms.

The Assembly of First Nations also offers fact sheets on firearm safety.