According to NSC, three times as many employees are injured off the job than while at work. NSC also noted that unintentional injuries and deaths in the United States remain at "unacceptable levels" – an estimated 126,100 unintentional deaths occurred in 2010, compared with approximately122,700 the previous year. Furthermore, the cost of unintentional injuries to Americans and their employers exceeds $730 billion nationally, or $6,200 per household, and causes great suffering for individuals and their families.
"Now is the time for employees to bring home the safe practices they learn at work to share with their family and friends," said Kent McElhattan, NSC chairman, in his video message.
National Safety Month is an annual observance to educate organizations and communities and encourage safe behaviors around leading causes of preventable injuries and deaths. This year, each week of National Safety Month highlights a different theme: employee wellness; ergonomics; preventing slips, trips and falls; and driving safety.
Throughout the month, NSC also will promote the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award Plus challenge to motivate participants to make physical activity and healthy eating a part of their everyday life – critical elements to overall wellness.
Free materials such as posters, facts sheets and quizzes are available online to help spread National Safety Month's safety messages.
