Safer communities > Conduct neighbourhood checks

Conduct neighbourhood checks

As a centre, you can help assess your neighbourhood for hazards. Take a look around your neighbourhood and community. Use Resources: Program Tool 10 - Is your neighbourhood safe and activity-friendly? to help you. This tool is a checklist to identify fall hazards as well as barriers to safe activity in your neighbourhood. You could also develop policies in your organization that address:

Who should do the neighbourhood hazard checks?
These checks can be done by a staff member or a volunteer. You may want to involve your members in conducting the safety audits as part of a regular program.

How often should the checks be done?
Neighbourhood checks should be done on a regular basis and hazards reported to the proper authorities. Something that is initially considered to be safe wears out over time or becomes neglected. As a general guide, perform a safety check every season. A winter check could focus on the additional risks presented by snow or ice and strategies to minimize these risks.

Who should link with the city authorities to report hazards and follow-up to ensure that they are addressed?