Scouts Canada and Hydro One have announced a new partnership to launch Head Safe -- a program that will provide young people and families across Ontario with resources and training opportunities to prevent and respond to head injuries.
With concussions representing more than one in five Ontario student injuries treated by a doctor or nurse, Head Safe was developed to educate people on head safety awareness and increase head injury prevention among young people.
Youth will learn head injury first aid, how to recognize the early symptoms of a concussion, what to do if they suspect they or someone else has a concussion, and the six steps of when it is safe to return to play, with appropriate medical clearance.
"A concussion is a serious injury, with symptoms that can affect a person’s daily life for weeks, months or even years," stated Andrew Price, executive commissioner and CEO of Scouts Canada. "Through this new partnership with Hydro One, a like-minded leader in work and community safety, we have developed a program that is ahead of the curve that will equip youth and families with the capability to not only recognize the signs of a concussion or head injury and respond accordingly, but to also understand the steps toward recovery that are needed before returning to play."
Head Safe will launch in the fall through Scouts Canada Groups across the country, along with free public community events planned across Ontario.