Raymond Thomas — Project Manager, Healthy Homes, NASCSP —

“Take a bite out of crime.” “Click it or ticket!” “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” You have undoubtedly heard one, if not all, of these catch phrases. But, what do they have in common? If you guessed safety, you are correct!

The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that every day approximately 245 people die of unintentional injuries in their homes and communities. Each June, NSC encourages organizations to get involved and participate in National Safety Month (NSM). NSM is an annual event to educate on and influence behaviors to avoid the leading causes of preventable injuries and deaths.

This year marks the NSC’s 100th anniversary! To celebrate, NSC is using this year’s National Safety Month to focus on employee engagement and have created a wealth of tools and resources that include downloadable materials, office challenges, social media messages, and promotional items to help involve employees in safety awareness. The month has been broken down into four themes:

1. Preventing slips, trips and falls
2. Employee wellness
3. Emergency Preparedness
4. Ergonomics

Though many of the topics focus on preventing injury in the workplace, the NSC seeks to create a climate where people feel a personal responsibility not only for their own safety, but for that of their family and friends. This extends to the home where, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans spend approximately 90 percent of their time.

To get involved and learn more about NSM, visit: www.nsc.org/nsm Remember safety starts with an “S,” but begins with YOU!