Becoming A Safe Community
Every community has its own unique personality, its own rhythm and vibrancy and its own unique challenges.
The injury patterns and problems are also unique to each community. However, by determining which ones are most
impacting your community, and designing injury prevention programs specific to your community, you can make a
difference.
Your community may already have individuals, groups, and organizations who have committed their time and
resources to make your community safer. Working together, in partnership, communities can reduce disabling
injuries and save lives. It all starts with a commitment to making safety a priority for your community.
Let Safe Communities America help you become a Safe Community.
Beginning January 1, 2009, all applications must follow the new posted guidelines
- Download New Guidelines for Safe Communities.pdf
Safe Communities Designation
The Safe Communities designation is awarded to communities that have demonstrated leadership in promoting safety, reducing
injuries, and preparing their citizens for natural and man-made disasters.
Communities seeking designation must meet the following six indicators established by the WHO Collaborating Center on Community
Safety Promotion and Safe Communities program:
- Demonstrate leadership based on partnership and collaborations with all community sectors that are responsible for safety promotion in their community;
- Long-term, sustainable programs covering both genders and all ages, environments, situations, and includes preparing their citizens for emergencies and disasters;
- Programs that target high-risk groups and environments, and programs that promote safety for vulnerable groups;
- Collect data on number and causes of injuries;
- Evaluate their programs, processes and the effects of change;
- Participate in national and international Safe Communities networks.
Designation Process
Designation is a three step process: submitting an application, a site visit from Safe Communities certifying representatives, and a ceremony celebrating your official designation.
Submitting an application
Your written application describes your community and highlights how your community meets the six Safe Communities program indicators.
Send your completed application to Safe Communities America.
Application Costs
Safe Communities America works with Safe Communities Canada as part of the North America Safe Communities
Network. Safe Communities Canada is currently the Certifying Center in North America. If you are
submitting your Safe Communities application to this Certifying Center please download and review the
2009 international Safe Communities designation fee schedule for Canada / North America Certifying
Center and their procedures.
- Download Certifying Center Designation Fee Schedule .pdf
Site Visit
After review of your application, a Certifying Center site reviewer will schedule a site visit. The site visit is an opportunity to highlight your community and its safety
promotion and injury prevention programs.
Designation Ceremony
Celebrate Your Success! The Safe Communities Designation brings international recognition to your community’s safety and injury prevention efforts. A Safe Communities
representative will be present to award your community this honor.