National Safety Month – established by the National Safety Council (NSC) – is aimed at preventing injuries and accidental deaths by raising awareness about the leading safety and health risks, like:
Prescription painkiller abuse: Prescription painkiller overdoses are a growing problem in the United States, especially among women. About 18 women die every day from a prescription painkiller overdose – more than 4 times as many as back in 1999.
Transportation safety: Doing other activities while driving – like texting or eating – distracts you and increases your chance of crashing. Almost 1 in 5 crashes (17%) that injured someone involved distracted driving.
Slips, trips, and falls -- especially among older adults. One in 4 older adults falls each year. Many falls lead to broken bones and other health problems.
Injury prevention in general. Injuries are a leading cause of disability for people of all ages and the leading cause of death for Americans ages 1 to 44.
Each week in June the spotlight is on a different fall-related topic:
- Week 1: Stand Up to Falls
- Week 2: Recharge to Be In Charge (Focusing on Fatigue)
- Week 3: Prepare for Active Shooters
- Week 4: Don't Just Sit There (Focusing on Ergonomics)
