Home, Car and Business Insurers Bring Injury Prevention to Alberta

Recently, Canada’s home, car and business insurers introduced Lethbridge (Alberta) residents to Be Smart. Be Safe, a national injury prevention campaign designed to reinforce the message that most injuries are preventable.

The travelling show is visiting many cities and towns across the country to tell Canadians what they can do to prevent injuries in the home, on the road and at play. Lethbridge is the third stop on the campaign trail and the first in Western Canada.

Last year, similar events were held in North Bay, Ontario and Truro, Nova Scotia. The kick-off event was a Safety Expo held at Park Place Shopping Centre. During opening ceremonies at the Expo, Jim Rivait, vice president, Prairies, NWT and Nunavut, Insurance Bureau of Canada, thanked Mayor Tarleck and the City of Lethbridge for their enthusiastic support for the program. “Lethbridge is a thriving community with a demonstrated commitment to injury prevention. Our program is designed to build upon that commitment and bring practical support to all the good work already taking place,” Rivait said.

Representing Canada’s home, car and business insurers, Rivait presented Fire Chief Brian Cornforth with a Rapid Deployment Craft and a Mustang Ice Commander Rescue Suit. In addition, $5,000 cheques were presented to Linda Roberts of The Safety City Society of Lethbridge and Jim Paxman, chair, Alberta Farm Safety Centre. art.

Every day, about 6,000 Canadians are injured and almost 40 die as a result of their injuries. In addition to the loss of life, pain and emotional trauma they cause, these injuries cost Canadians an estimated $14.7 billion every year in health-care expenses and lost productivity.