National Safety Council (NSC) data show July and August typically record the highest number of preventable deaths. A total of 117,041 people died from preventable injuries in July and August from 2011 to 2015 as a result of poisonings, car crashes, falls, drowning, choking and fires, according to Injury Facts® 2017.
Tips for reducing risk include:
- Understand the specific risks facing you and your family; run a personal safety report at www.nsc.org/safetycheckup.
- Ask your doctor for alternatives to highly addictive opioid painkillers.
- Store medications in a locking medicine cabinet.
- Refrain from using a cellphone -- even hands-free -- behind the wheel.
- Designate a sober, alcohol and drugfree driver.
- Fall-proof your home by securing rugs, installing handrails on staircases and placing no-slip mats in the bathtub.
For more information, visit www.nsc. org/nsm or call (800) 621-7615.
