June Is National Safety Month!

Accidents causing fatal injuries can happen at any time,  anywhere. Whether you’re at home, work, or out in the community, everyone is at risk for accidents when people neglect the safety of others.

For the first time in history, accidental injuries are the third leading cause of death in the nation. In a report issued by the National Safety Council (N.S.C.) last January, there were 14,803 more accidental fatalities in 2016 than the previous year, a 10 percent increase from 2015. In 2017, a total of 47.2 million injuries were reported that resulted in 169,936 fatalities from preventable accidents- approximately 466 deaths every day.

National Safety Month is a campaign observed every June to focus on reducing the leading causes of accidental injury and death across the United States. All accidents are preventable with the right safety measures in place. Here’s what Long Islanders need to know to keep their families safe this season.

Leading Causes of Accidental Deaths By Age

Every age group is susceptible to specific hazards that can lead to unintentional fatalities. Where teens may be more at risk for car crashes as they learn to drive, adults over 65 are more at risk for fall injuries as their bodies continue to age.

According to the N.S.C. Injury Facts, these are the leading causes of accidental death for each age group and the annual number of deaths they contribute to:

Infants < 1 : Suffocation (1,125 deaths);

1 to 4: Motor Vehicle Accidents (400 deaths);

5 to 14: Motor Vehicle Accidents (800 deaths);

15 to 24: Motor Vehicle Accidents (3,500 deaths);

25 to 34: Drug Overdose (8,900 deaths);

35 to 44: Drug Overdose (8.500 deaths);

45 to 54: Drug Overdose (10,100 deaths);

55 to 64: Drug Overdose (6,400 deaths);

65 to 74: Falls (4,000 deaths);

75 to 84: Falls (8,000 deaths); and

Adults < 85: Falls (15,000 deaths).

Besides age, occupation, gender, and location can also affect an individual’s risks of preventable death. Females are more likely to die from accidental falls (31%) as compared to men who are more likely to die from accidental poisoning (31%). New York’s top three leading causes of unintentional death include poisoning (35%), falls (25%), and motor vehicle accidents (22%), while other states such as Texas, have the same leading causes reversed: motor vehicle accidents (38%), poisoning (24%), and falls (19%).

To identify your family’s top safety risks, use the N.S.C.’s Safety Check Up Tool to identify your unique hazards and how to beat the odds to prevent injuries.

National Safety Weeks

Each month of June is dedicated to a different safety topic addressing the leading causes of unnecessary accidents. It’s important for Long Islanders to understand the dangers of each hazard to help keep their families and communities safe:

Week 1: Hazard Recognition

Learning how to spot hazards in your workplace, home, and community is the first step to preventing accidents. Paying attention to factors such as lighting, air quality, temperature, and exertion levels can help you anticipate where accidents might occur and what safety measures will be useful.

Week 2: Slips, Trips, and Falls

Slips, trips, and falls are no minor accidents. Serious falling accidents can result in traumatic head injuries and spinal cord damage depending on the force and angle of the impact. Looking out for hazards that could cause a slip, trip, and fall accident can drastically decrease your chance of an injury. Removing obstacles such as spills, clutter, and bulky equipment are great places to start. If you cannot remove the hazards yourself, report the incidents to a supervisor or property owner.

Week 3: Fatigue

You shouldn’t be sacrificing sleep for work or entertainment. Fatigue can lead to a decrease in productivity, accuracy, vigilance, and judgment. The effects of lack of sleep can also make you more prone to accidents leading to preventable deaths such as motor vehicle crashes, occupational injuries, and falls.

Week 4: Impairment

Focus is critical, particularly at work or behind the wheel where staying alert could mean the difference between life or death. Staying in control of your actions means reducing impairments that could cloud your ability to judge safe situations. Fatigue, drugs, alcohol, and emotional distress are the most common impairments leading to accidents. Focusing on your overall health will reduce your chances of making poor decisions that could lead to unnecessary fatalities throughout the day.

How To Get Involved

There are plenty of ways Long Islanders can do their part in spreading awareness and holding their community accountable for prioritizing safety. Some include:

• Distributing flyers and other N.S.C. educational materials;
• Holding trivia contests with weekly prizes at home or work;
• Creating social media posts, blogs, and newsletters to spread awareness to friends and neighbors;
• Encouraging others to take the SafeAtWork pledge;
• Throwing a safety fair or event in your neighborhood; or
• Making a donation to N.S.C. to support the ongoing safety efforts.

New York City and Long Island Personal Injury Attorneys

At the law firms of Siler & Ingber, our dedicated team has been standing up for victims of preventable injuries for over 20 years. We understand the complexity of personal injury cases and the laws associated with protecting the rights of citizens in our communities from unnecessary dangers. If you or a loved one has been injured, our winning team of personal injury attorneys is here to support. Contact us today at 1-877-LAW-4343, or schedule an appointment online.

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