News and Events
Community Safety and Well-Being Plan: A Collaborative Approach for a Safer Wellington County
The Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) Plan is more than a document—it’s a shared commitment to building a stronger, safer, and more inclusive Wellington County.
This plan reflects the unique character and needs of our community and is developed through the collective efforts of local partners including:
Municipal governments
Police and paramedics
Education and healthcare sectors
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH)
Social services
Community-based human services agencies
Together, we are working toward a common goal: a community where all residents feel safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.
What Is a CSWB Plan?
Under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019, all Ontario municipalities are required to develop and adopt a CSWB Plan. These plans are designed to shift from reacting to crime and social issues to proactively addressing the root causes—helping prevent issues before they occur.
Key Aspects of the CSWB Plan
Proactive Approach
Instead of responding only after issues arise, the CSWB Plan focuses on prevention—addressing challenges like mental health, addiction, housing, and youth development before they escalate.
Collaboration
True change happens through partnerships. This plan brings together municipal leaders, first responders, educators, healthcare professionals, social services, and community members to create integrated solutions.
Needs-Based Focus
Every community is different. The CSWB Plan uses data and community input to identify local risk factors and direct resources where they are needed most.
Sustainable Communities
Safety goes hand-in-hand with belonging and opportunity. The CSWB Plan aims to build a Wellington County where residents of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities feel valued and included.
Why It Matters
By aligning resources and focusing on prevention, Wellington County is not just reacting to challenges—we are building resilience, empowering communities, and enhancing quality of life for everyone.
To read the new Community Safety & Well-Being Plan, Click Here.
⚠️ Important Notice: E-Scooters Not Permitted in Wellington County
Electric kick-style scooters (e-scooters) are becoming increasingly common in some areas of Ontario—but they are not permitted for use in Wellington County.
As per local regulations, e-scooters are prohibited on:
County and lower-tier municipal roads
Sidewalks
Bike paths
Trails
Parks
Although other municipalities in Ontario may allow e-scooter use, Wellington County has chosen to restrict them due to their significant safety risks, especially to children and youth.
🚑 What the Data Tells Us
According to the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP) at SickKids Hospital, e-scooters are responsible for a high number of serious injuries. Emergency Department data shows:
🛴 85% of serious injuries from battery-powered mobility devices are related to e-scooters.
👦 Nearly half of all e-scooter injuries involved children aged 10–13.
♂️ 81% of injured riders were male.
🧠 36% of injuries were head injuries—and helmet use did not always prevent them.
⛑️ 56% of injured riders were not wearing a helmet.
🚑 31% of injuries involved multiple parts of the body, making them especially severe.
These findings highlight the serious risk e-scooters pose, especially when operated in public spaces without proper oversight or infrastructure.
✅ Help Keep Our Community Safe
For your safety—and the safety of others—please refrain from riding e-scooters in any public area within Wellington County. These regulations are in place to prevent avoidable injuries and protect vulnerable road users, including children, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Thank you for doing your part to keep Wellington County safe.
#WellingtonCounty #EScooterSafety #CommunityNotice #PublicSafety #BylawAwareness
Parachute’s National Injury Prevention Day (NIPD) is a day to raise awareness around the importance of injury prevention and aid people in Canada to live long lives to the fullest through education and advocacy. Health Canada recognizes this date as an official national Health Promotion Day. Note that in the past we have marked this day on July 5 but, because that falls on a weekend in 2025, NIPD moves to Monday July 7.
We invite everyone in Wellington County to wear green on that day and post a photo on social media with ways you and your family prevent injuries in your home and in your community to show the importance of injury prevention.
Injury prevention is critical to saving lives: Did you know that injury is the No. 1 cause of death of Canadians ages 1 to 44? Or that injury costs the Canadian economy $29.4 billion a year?
We know that most injuries are predictable and preventable: We need your help spreading our information on preventing serious injuries on the road, at home and at play.
Our goal is to provide the necessary information and tools to the public, and to work diligently to ensure that one day Canada will be free of serious injuries.
Quick facts
- Every day, 48 Canadians die and 634 are hospitalized because of injuries.
- Preventable injury kills more Canadian children than any disease, and more youth than all other causes combined.
- 75 per cent of injury-related deaths are from unintentional causes, such as falls, car crashes and poisonings.
- Falls are the leading cause of injury deaths, hospitalizations, emergency department visits and disabilities in Canada.
Parachute Safe Kids Week is an annual awareness campaign designed to bring attention to predictable and preventable injuries in children. Parachute celebrates Safe Kids Week June 2 to June 8, 2025, this year with the theme of #KidsAndConcussions.
Concussions can happen at any age
- A concussion is a brain injury that happens after a blow to the head, neck or body.
- A concussion can happen without a direct hit to the head: A blow to the body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull can cause a concussion. For example, a child may collide with another person or fall hard on the ground.
- Children have some of the highest rates of concussion, especially from falls.
As children grow older, the main causes of concussion change
- Falls are the prevalent cause of concussions in young children under five years old: 71 per cent of concussion injuries in young children are from falls.
- Falls from a bed, on stairs or from a sofa are the most common types of falls leading to concussions.
- These injuries happen most often while the child is playing (29 per cent)
- Sport and recreation incidents and falls are leading causes of concussion in children ages 5 to 9 years.
- Sport and recreation incidents are the no.1 cause of concussion in older children ages 10 to 14 years.
Parents, caregivers and people who work with children can help prevent concussions
Concussion prevention, among young children, means preventing dangerous falls from high surfaces such as furniture, down stairs and out windows. For older children, more concussions occur during sports and recreation activities. Follow these tips to reduce the chance of a concussion head injury.
Learn how to focus on promoting young people’s strengths!
Safe Communities Wellington County has been partnering with Lions Clubs of Canada and Lions Quest Canada to bring an amazing workshop to Wellington County. Already, we have brought together organizations and over 100 people across Wellington County to learn the 40 Problem Solving Skills Young People Need to Succeed.
These workshops help promote self reliance, independence, and ultimately, success in life for the young people in your life.
Workshop Highlights & Agenda:
- Understand the “Ripple Effect” and identify where you can do your part
- Commit to making a difference
- Learn how your simple, everyday actions can have an impact
- Shift from focusing on young people’s problems to promoting their strengths
If you are interested in a group workshop, contact safecwc@gmail.com
What is Wellington County Doing?
Through a partnership with Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), CMHA clinicians are working alongside Police Officers to assist in real-time with, calls involving those in crisis. The Program is called IMPACT (Integrated Mobile Police and Crisis Team). 2017 saw a record number of requests for service. In total, 586 calls were received with 431 individuals being served through the program. Clinicians attended a total of 289 live calls with police with 207 individuals not requiring a trip to an Emergency Department. Individuals were instead connected with services and supports that could better serve their needs. This is an extraordinary 73% diversion rate which permits the reinvestment of health, paramedic, and police services to address other important tasks.
GOOD NEWS FROM IMPACT
A camp serving people with disabilities called to say a camper was having behaviours that could pose risk or harm to other campers, staff and themselves. This camper also had significant medical issues that could be complicated by emergency service intervention. The officer responding asked IMPACT to assist in coordinating a response. IMPACT called the campers parents, who advised that the individual could not be returned home and the individual did not have a home address to return to due to his very complex needs. IMPACT learned that the camper had recently been in a hospital unit for medical needs. The hospital was called and IMPACT was advised that the camper could indeed return to their facility. Police and IMPACT together coordinated with EMS to transport the individual to the hospital already familiar with them. IMPACT attended the camp and the camper was calmly taken by ambulance back to the hospital where their needs could be met and risk could be managed. Police stood-by in case of violence, and all was accomplished in a very safe, supportive way, with the individual agreeing to each step of the plan.
Prevention Strategies
There are steps we can all take to promote mental well-being
Building resilience: Learning healthy coping skills to manage stress and difficult emotions. This could include mindfulness practices, exercise, creative expression, or relaxation techniques.
- Strong social connections: Having supportive relationships with friends, family, and mentors can be a powerful buffer against emotional distress.
- Early intervention: Seeking help for mental health challenges is crucial.
- Open communication: Creating a safe space to talk openly about mental health and self-harm is essential.
Resources Available
If you are struggling with thoughts of self-harm, or know someone who is, please know help is available:
- Crisis support: Reach out to a crisis hotline for immediate support. Here are some resources:
- Crisis Support Wellington: 1-844-HERE247 (1-844-437-3247)
- Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 (Text CONNECT to 686868)
- 988 – Suicide Crisis Hotline
- Mental health resources:
Remember, you are not alone. By working together, we can create a safe and supportive environment where everyone in Wellington County feels empowered to seek help when needed.
We are committed to providing ongoing resources and information on mental health and injury prevention.
Falls are the No. 1 reason for injury-related death, hospitalization and emergency department visits for older adults in Canada. Falls among older adults cost $5.6 billion in 2018 – nearly 20 per cent of the total cost of injury in Canada.
According to Parachute Canada, the following are the most effective steps you can take to prevent a fall, as assessed by the Public Health Agency of Canada and Finding Balance, a program for older adults and caregivers created by the Injury Prevention Centre at the University of Alberta.
- Exercise: challenge your balance and build strength.
- Get enough sleep.
- Take your time: don’t rush when walking or getting up.
- Balance your body through good nutrition and hydration.
- Get your sight and hearing checked regularly.
- Manage your medications and review them regularly with your pharmacist or doctor as some may make you prone to dizziness and falling.
- Wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes.
- Consider using a cane or other mobility device if needed.
- Maintain proper use of eyeglasses and hearing aids.
Safe Communities Day 2024: Injury Prevention in Wellington County
Grade 5 students joined Safe Communities Wellington County for Safe Communities Day 2024 discovering how to protect themselves and become safety ambassadors for their school and their community
Wellington County is dedicated to promoting safety and well-being throughout our community. Safe Communities Day is an annual event that brings together local safety organizations to raise awareness about injury prevention and provide valuable resources to grade 5 students throughout Wellington County.
Key Injury Prevention Topics
This year, we focussed on several critical injury prevention areas:
- Helmet and Bike Safety: Cycling is a popular activity in Wellington County. Learn about the importance of wearing helmets and proper bike maintenance.
- Mental Wellness: Mental health is a vital component of overall well-being. Discover strategies for managing stress, coping with challenges, and seeking support when needed.
- Dam Safety: Understand the risks associated with dams and how to stay safe around water bodies.
- Water Safety: Learn about water safety tips, including swimming, boating, and fishing.
- Falls Prevention: Falls are a common cause of injuries, especially among older adults and children. Discover practical steps to reduce your risk of falls.
- Other Injury Prevention Categories: We also cover a range of other injury prevention topics, such as Emergency Preparedness and Cyber Safety.
Thank you to Upper Grand District School Board and Wellington Catholic District School Board for participating in Safe Communities Day. Over 750 from across Wellington County and Guelph were online during this 2 day event. We are looking forward to having another amazing Safe Communities Day next year!
During the months of June, July, and August, Safe Communities Wellington County concentrated on key safety themes and initiatives to promote public awareness and injury prevention.
Key Activities:
National Injury Prevention Day:
- Event: A dedicated booth was set up at the Drayton Fire Hall on July 5, 2024.
- Purpose: To raise awareness about injury prevention strategies and provide community members with essential safety information.
Social Media and Radio Campaigns:
- Water Safety: Emphasized the importance of safety in open bodies of water around the Grand River watershed. This campaign aimed to educate the public on preventing water-related accidents.
- Aggressive Driving: Addressed the issue of aggressive driving, particularly on the Highway 6 corridor. Efforts included promoting safer driving habits and awareness of the dangers of aggressive driving.
- Sharing the Road: Focused on the safe interaction between motorists, farm equipment, and cyclists. Campaigns highlighted the need for mutual respect and caution on the roads.
- Opioid Awareness Day: Concluded the summer with a focus on opioid awareness at the end of August. This initiative aimed to inform the public about opioid risks and resources available for assistance.
The activities carried out over these three months were designed to enhance community safety and raise awareness on critical issues. Safe Communities Wellington County remains committed to fostering a safer environment through continued education and outreach.
Join Safe Communities Wellington County at the 2nd annual Lights and Sirens event at the Centre Wellington Sportsplex on Sunday, April 21. Come out for the public skate starting at 11:30 am and then cheer on your favourite team at 12:30; Wellington County OPP vs Centre Wellignton Fire Rescue. Wear green for police or red for fire.
Admission by donation to Centre Wellington Food Bank or Crime Stoppers Guelph Wellington.
Poison Prevention Week is an annual campaign to raise public awareness of poisoning injuries in Canada, encouraging community involvement as part of the solution.
In 2024, Safe Communities Wellington County is joining Parachute Canada to promote a pan-Canadian theme for Poison Prevention Week – Poison Prevention: Empowering Canada for a safer tomorrow. We are using the hashtag #EmpowerPoisonPrevention to promote the theme on social media.
Each year, more than 4,000 Canadians lose their lives due to poisoning and annual unintentional poisoning deaths have now surpassed transport-related deaths in Canada With many potential poisons – such as medications, household cleaners and cannabis products – in and around the home, it’s important to know how to safely store these items and what to do in the event of a poisoning.
Recognize and identify potential poisons
There are many items in and around the home that can cause poisoning.
- Medications are the leading cause of poisoning in Canada. Prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause poisoning if taken by mistake or used incorrectly. In 2021, medications that relieve pain, known as analgesics, were the No. 1 substance Canada’s poison centres received calls about.
- Household cleaners can be brightly coloured and appealing to children. As well, when mixed, household cleaners can produce dangerous chemicals.
- Ingesting cannabis is the most common cause of cannabis poisoning in children. Cannabis edibles can have a stronger effect on the body than other forms of cannabis. Cannabis edibles often resemble common snacks (e.g., brownies, gummy candies). A young child may be unable to tell the difference. Children can have significant effects from cannabis edibles such as drowsiness, coma, agitation and difficulty breathing.
- Colourful, transparent laundry detergent pods may look like candies or toys to children. Laundry detergent pods can harm a child if ingested, or if the liquid gets into their eyes. Older adults with dementia can also be at risk of unintentionally consuming laundry detergent pods.
- Fragrant and brightly coloured personal care products like perfume, mouthwash and hand sanitizer can be appealing to children. These products often contain a high percentage of alcohol which can be harmful to children if ingested. Store these products high and locked away from children’s reach.
- Some indoor plants can be toxic if ingested. Leave the name tag on each plant in the home.
- Do not assume that a plant is safe to eat because birds or wildlife eat it. Teach children to never put berries, seeds, flowers, nuts or leaves in their mouth without checking with an adult first.
- Never eat wild mushrooms. Poisonous mushrooms can look just like mushrooms that are safe to eat. Check outdoor areas frequently for mushrooms before children go outdoors to play and remove all mushrooms growing outdoors near your home.
Wellington County Safe Communities Falls Action Group is working to raise awareness on steps you can take to reduce your risk of a fall. When watching television, avoiding a fall seems easy, with the advice of “just don’t fall”. Regardless of how educated you are about falls prevention, how good your balance is or how strong your muscles are, you can still experience a fall. When a senior, who is in good physical condition, falls, the impact of that fall is often reduced, and they are able to remain independent. Falls are the #1 cause of injuries to seniors. The fear of falling is real and can make seniors less confident and result in a reduction in their physical activity levels. As a result, their gait and balance deteriorate. This puts them at an increased risk of falling; which is exactly what they were trying to avoid in the first place. It is important to keep moving and to exercise.
Being self sufficient and staying in your home for longer is also a goal older adults have, so ensuring their homes and common spaces outside their homes need to be safe.
- Making sure that walks are shovelled and salted (Ask for help if you need to)
- Make sure your boots are appropriate for the weather.
- Use sock aids and other assistive devices within your home to help with every day mobility
- Remove unnecessary clutter and rugs
- Install handrails, toilet seat lifts, etc., and speak with your physician about cost savings when purchasing items.
Ernie Read. A 90-year-old resident of Mount Forest, participates in the Boosting Balance Program offered by the Mount Forest Family Health Team. He has been attending the weekly group since 2018 and feels that it has had a positive impact on his mobility and balance. Ernie had a fall three months ago, luckily, he was able to get up independently and was not injured. He attributes this positive outcome to exercising regularly – he attends Boosting Balance weekly and also enjoys walking outside with his walking poles. Ernie would also like to encourage those who are exercising alone to always wear a whistle as it is an inexpensive way to attract attention if help is needed.
Seniors in Wellington County are lucky to have access to the VON SMART exercise program. This exercise program is FREE. Kelly Gee, VON SMART Exercise Coordinator, and member of the Safe Communities Wellington County Falls Action Group, says “Exercise is the universal prescription to pretty much everything! Frailty is not inevitable, in fact, it is reversible. It is never too late to start exercising.”
Sue Hodgson, a participant of the VON SMART exercise program shares her fall story. While out with a friend at a restaurant, a hot beverage was overturned. In an effort to get out of the way, Sue quickly moved away from the table forgetting the step to their booth, and fell. This fall could have resulted in a life changing injury, but Sue who has been attending the SMART exercise program 2-3 times per week was able to walk away with her independence intact. Sue’s fitness level contributed to her resilience to injury and she was right back exercising the very next day. Exercise increases bone density, reducing the risk of a fracture.
Join us on February 23, 2024 at The Centre Wellington Sportsplex for the Victoria Park Seniors Centre’s Active Living Show. Be sure to stop by the booth to grab some goodies and learn how you can stay safe at home and in your community!
This series promotes education and awareness about Opioids and Mental Health.
Kitchen Table Talk – Opioids 101
During this Kitchen Table Talk, attendees have the opportunity to learn about opioid and naloxone truths from frontline workers and people with lived experience. This Table Talk is in cooperation with Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy.
Naloxone Training & kits will be provided.
If you are interested in bringing this Kitchen Table Talk Series to your community within Wellington County, please contact info@safewellington.ca.
Kitchen Table Talk – Mental Health
Partnering with the Canadian Mental Health Association and The Suicide Awareness Council of Guelph Wellington, Safe Communities Wellington County’s Intentional Self Harm Group has created a Kitchen Table Talk on Mental Health. Real People – Their Stories – Creating Conversation Around Mental Health and Well Being through Guided Discussions. Our Spring Kitchen Table Talk focused on Death by Suicide and Sucide Attempt Survivors and the impact & journey’s people have taken afterward.
A Spring Kitchen Table Talk is being planned for the Spring in Wellington North.
Safe Communities Wellington County is hard at work in the first place. It is important to keep moving and to exercise.
Ernie Read. A 90-year-old resident of Mount Forest, participates in the Boosting Balance Program offered by the Mount Forest Family Health Team. He has been attending the weekly group since 2018 and feels that it has had a positive impact on his mobility and balance. Ernie had a fall three months ago, luckily, he was able to get up independently and was not injured. He attributes this positive outcome to exercising regularly – he attends Boosting Balance weekly and also enjoys walking outside with his walking poles. Ernie would also like to encourage those who are exercising alone to always wear a whistle as it is an inexpensive way to attract attention if help is needed.
Seniors in Wellington County are lucky to have access to the VON SMART exercise program. This exercise program is FREE. Kelly Gee, VON SMART Exercise Coordinator, and member of the Safe Communities Wellington County Falls Action Group, says “Exercise is the universal prescription to pretty much everything! Frailty is not inevitable, in fact, it is reversible. It is never too late to start exercising.”
Sue Hodgson, a participant of the VON SMART exercise program shares her fall story. While out with a friend at a restaurant, a hot beverage was overturned. In an effort to get out of the way, Sue quickly moved away from the table forgetting the step to their booth, and fell. This fall could have resulted in a life changing injury, but Sue who has been attending the SMART exercise program 2-3 times per week was able to walk away with her independence intact. Sue’s fitness level contributed to her resilience to injury and she was right back exercising the very next day. Exercise increases bone density, reducing the risk of a fracture.