Risk Watch

• Teacher Tips

What is Risk Watch:

Risk Watch is a National Fire Protection Association program geared around Prevention health risks and injuries of children. Risk Watch covers Motor Vehicle Safety, Fire and Burn Prevention, Choking, Suffocation, and strangulation prevention, Poisoning prevention, fall prevention, firearms injury prevention, bike and pedestrian safety and water safety.

The Canadian Risk Watch Program is made up of detailed injury prevention lessons that address the 8 risk areas and correlate directly with the Ontario curriculums. Elementary students (JK to grade 8) are taught these lessons by their teacher.  The skills the students learn reach far beyond the classroom . Children are encouraged to practice and apply their newly-learned skills in their daily lives.

In Canada, injuries are the leading cause of death for children over one year of age. With proper education, children can learn to be much safer and prevent those injuries from occurring. Risk Watch give kids the skills and knowledge they need to recognize and avoid risks.

Each grade level has a curriculum of their own.

Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten

At the Pre-kindergarten/kindergarten level, they play a role as “Storyteller”. Young children love story time, so this role is the perfect way to get kids excited about learning safety messages for the eight risk areas. Students and teachers share stories using a variety of techniques to keep the children interested and to allow them to participate in the risk area being discussed.

Grades 1 and 2

This module capitalizes on a child’s natural curiosity by placing students in the role of “Detective”. As they investigate mysteries involving the eight major risk areas, kids will apply critical thinking skills to analyze situations and learn how to spot and avoid potential dangers.

Grades 3 and 4

Students at this level are ready to become ace “Reporter” using the five “W’s” (who, what, when, where, and why) to write effective stories that highlight potential dangers in each of the eight major risk areas. Students will keep a Reporter’s Notebook and learn to focus quickly on what is important in each story.

Grades 5 and 6

In the role of “Promoters”, children market safe behaviors to their peers, family members, and the community. Students and teachers use advance communication skills to identify, research, create and promote safety messages. In a team learning environment, children create and present infomercials for all eight risk areas.

Grades 7 and 8

Students in this age group assume the role of “Coach”, becoming role models and advocates for safety in their own community and throughout society. Children engage in imaginative role-playing and problem solving exercises to teach others to identify unsafe situations in the eight risk areas. Stories are used to analyze realistic scenarios and suggestions are offered for preventing unintentional injury and death.

Risk Watch provides a comprehensive set of supporting materials designed to maximize the success of the program

Have you seen unsafe activities, or do you have a crime to report? You can report these activities to Crime Stoppers completely anonymously.