This project will create a child-sized mock food truck at the Children’s Safety Village of Belleville to teach children vital kitchen and home safety skills in a fun, interactive way. Outfitted with safe, realistic appliances and equipment, the food truck will let kids practice how to spot hazards, prevent fires, use appliances safely, and respond in an emergency.
By turning safety lessons into an engaging, hands-on experience, this project will help prevent injuries — one of the most common risks children face at home — while giving them confidence they can carry for life. Aligned with LEAF’s vision, the project empowers children through learning, strengthens families by reducing everyday risks, and helps build safer, more resilient communities across Hastings and Prince Edward Counties.
The safety of our children is at the heart of every strong community. In Hastings and Prince Edward Counties, preventable household injuries remain one of the leading causes of emergency visits for children — and the kitchen is the most common place where these accidents occur. Burns from stoves, slips from spills, or a lack of knowledge about what to do in a fire can turn an ordinary moment into a tragedy.
The Cooking up Safety Project directly addresses this urgent need by giving children a safe, engaging place to learn kitchen and home safety skills. It transforms safety education into an exciting, hands-on experience that children will remember, empowering them to feel confident when faced with everyday risks.
This is more than a learning tool — it is a community investment. Fewer injuries mean less strain on families and health systems, and children who grow up confident in their ability to prevent accidents become adults who carry those habits forward. By reducing casualties and strengthening resilience at the household level, this project supports the well-being of our entire community.
Aligned with the Commonwell LEAF initiative, the Mock Food Truck will not only teach safety but also build confidence, engage families, and contribute to a safer, healthier, and stronger community for generations to come.
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Let’s bring back the art of cooking fresh health food to our youth. Together we can give youth the basic skills to be creative in the kitchen.
Such a creative project—Cooking Up Safety will make a real difference by helping kids learn essential safety skills in a fun way.
Love this project! Cooking Up Safety will give children practical skills and confidence while making safety education fun
Cooking Up Safety is a wonderful way to give kids hands-on lessons that keep them safe at home—such an important investment in our community!