The National Safety Council (NSC) has 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 in the workplace.
"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 NSC, 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, NSC said.
Four weeks specifically focused on teen driving safety, home and community safety, environment and public health, and workplace safety will comprise the council''s web-based effort for National Safety Month.
The council and its chapters will focus on these areas and offer programs, solutions and safety tips to help keep Americans safe and healthy.
NSC''s Web site www.nsc.org, will offer detailed information on each of the weeks'' activities, along with links to supporting sites offering safety and health information solutions.
"The National Safety Council''s aim in dedicating one month to safety is to increase awareness of living safely throughout the year and ultimately to decrease the number of accidental injuries and deaths," said McMillan.
by Virginia Sutcliffe