Injury takes the lives of more young Canadians than all other causes combined. SMARTRISK is dedicated to preventing injury and saving lives by helping people to recognize and manage the risks in their lives.

Youth are at highest risk of injury and often take risks without thinking, which is why SMARTRISK focuses mainly on youth. We recognize that risk is part of what makes life worth living and can’t – nor should it – be eliminated. Instead of telling young people what not to do, we take a positive approach and help people recognize and learn to take smart risks in all they do.

Our five smart risk messages can apply to any activity, whether driving a car, parachuting from a plane or learning to snowboard: Buckle Up, Look First, Wear the Gear, Get Trained and Drive Sober.

Teenagers don’t want to listen to “safety” messages. Our communications are either delivered by teens or speak to them in their own language. We take our messages of smart risk directly to young people where they are gathered – in their schools.

For instance:

• SMARTRISK No Regrets Live is designed to encourage high school students to embrace the SMARTRISK lifestyle. An injury survivor who was hurt while a youth hosts this one-hour assembly.

• SMARTRISK No Regrets gives the smart risk lifestyle a permanent home in high schools with a peer-to-peer leadership program. Radio commercials about risk-taking and making smart choices play on morning announcements in our No Regrets schools, to inspire students to think about risk every day. Cool branded promotional items are handed out to No Regrets students to reinforce the messages.