The National Safety Council (NSC) and its chapters across the country have designated June 2001 as National Safety Month, an annual observance aimed at increasing public awareness of the dangers Americans face each day on the highways, in homes and communities, in the workplace and the environment.
"Advances in technology and new safety and health laws have created a safer environment for Americans," said Alan McMillan, NSC president, "yet deaths from accidental injuries continue to plague the nation."
According to the NSC''s publication, Injury Facts 2000, unintentional injury deaths totaled 96,600 in 1999.
Motor vehicle crashes caused 41,300 deaths, 52,900 people died from unintentional injuries in the home and in public places, and 5,100 died in the workplace.
Four weeks specifically focused on teen driving safety, home and community safety, environment and public health safety, and workplace safety will comprise the council''s web-based effort for National Safety Month 2001.
The council and its chapters around the country will focus on the most troublesome problems in these areas and offer programs, solutions and safety tips to help keep Americans safe and healthy.
The council''s Web site at www.nsc.org/nsm.htm will offer detailed information on each week''s activities, along with links to supporting sites offering safety and health information and solutions.
"The National Safety Council''s aim in dedicating one month to safety," said McMillan. "is to increase awareness of living safely throughout the year and ultimately to decrease the number of accidental injuries and deaths."
by Virginia Sutcliffe