Safe Kids Week: Make protecting your head a Healthy Choice ...

May 30 2013

YELLOWKNIFE (May 30, 2013) ? Safe Kids Week is May 27 to June 3 in the Northwest Territories (NWT). The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is marking the Week by encouraging NWT residents to show that they have the helmet habit and post a video or picture of themselves wearing a properly fitting helmet online.

?We all know that helmets can save lives and reduce the severity of head injuries,? said Minister of Health and Social Services Tom Beaulieu, who stressed that it is important for parents, teachers, and coaches to make the prevention of brain injuries, such as concussions, a priority.? ?We have to ensure our children and young people are wearing their helmets when they are bicycling, skateboarding or engaged in other recreational activities.?

Helmet use in organized sports is already saving lives and preventing serious injuries says Municipal and Community Affairs Minister Robert C. McLeod, ?In our school and recreation programs across the NWT, young people are wearing their helmets to avoid potential head injuries,? he said. ?It?s important to bring that same good habit to the recreation activities both children and adults participate in.?

A concussion is a brain injury that affects the way a person thinks and remembers and can cause a variety of symptoms that affect health and behaviour. Until August 31, 2013, the GNWT is encouraging NWT residents to post a video or picture of themselves wearing a properly fitting helmet on Twitter using the hashtag #gotthehelmethabit to show that they have the helmet habit. Residents who email commcoordinator@gov.nt.ca with the time and date of their tweet will be entered in a draw to receive one of three GoPro HERO3: Black Edition helmet cameras. Names will be drawn in September.

Safe Kids Week is an initiative of Parachute, Canada?s injury prevention leader. Visit the Parachute website for more information and resources related to Safe Kids Week 2013.

The Healthy Choices Framework is the GNWT?s initiative to encourage NWT residents to make the right choices to protect their health, safety and wellbeing. The prevention of injuries is one of the pillars of the Framework intended to help meet the priority of the 17^th Legislative Assembly to ensure a fair and sustainable health care system by investing in prevention, education and awareness. Visit www.choosenwt.com for more information on the Healthy Choices Framework.

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For further information:

Damien Healy
Manager of Communications
Department of Health and Social Services
(867) 920-8927
damien_healy@gov.nt.ca

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Earl Blacklock
Manager Public Affairs and Communications
Department of Transportation
(867) 445-3494
earl_blacklock@gov.nt.ca

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Source: http://news.exec.gov.nt.ca/safe-kids-week-make-protecting-your-head-a-healthy-choice/

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