National Safety Council News Release, 12/21/01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 21, 2001
CONTACT: Joe Larkin (630)775-2303	
				
National Safety Council Warns of New Year Dangers in the Home and Community

Itasca, IL -- Poisonings, falls, fires, and other incidents in homes and communities will kill more Americans than highway crashes over the busy New Year holiday, the National Safety Council (NSC) warned today.

The NSC predicts that 533 people may die and 28,300 people may suffer nonfatal disabling injuries in motor vehicle crashes over the 4-1/4 day New Year holiday which officially begins at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, December 28 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, January 1, 2002. Of the 533 crash victims, 141 will not be wearing seat belts. The lives of 389 people involved in crashes, however, will be spared because they will be wearing their seat belts. 

NSC President Alan McMillan said, *The Council*s highway safety message is clear-buckle up everyone in the car on every trip; place children in the back seat in age-appropriate safety seats; and don*t drink and drive.*

On the other hand, many Americans don*t yet realize the full extent of the dangers lurking in their homes and communities. *While the highway death rate is slowly declining,* McMillan said, *deaths and serious injuries in the home and community are on the rise. During the average period comparable to this New Year holiday, 600 people will die from accidents in the home and community.* 

The NSC estimates that about 7.1 million Americans suffered disabling injuries in American homes in 2000, and 29,500 died.  Poisonings and falls were the leading causes of death in the home. Unintentional poisonings, however, can be prevented by following label directions for all products, including medication dosages, and by properly storing potentially toxic products.

The NSC warns that older Americans are increasingly at risk of falling at home and being seriously injured or even killed.  The majority of victims were over 65 years of age.   Be watchful over the New Year holiday and be sure to keep floors and stairs clear of clutter. Remove toys, paper, books, clothes and shoes -- anything that an older person with failing eyesight, balance and coordination might trip on. 

The NSC's Driver Safety and Falls in the Home web pages include a number of resources, as well as links to information from other sources, to help citizens keep themselves safe on the roads and in their homes and communities. For detailed information, visit the NSC website at <http://www.nsc.org>.  

The National Safety Council is a nonprofit, nongovernmental public service organization dedicated to reducing unintentional injuries in homes and communities, in the workplace and on the road. Motor vehicle crashes and falls in the home are cited as two of our nation*s leading safety and health problems in the Safety Agenda for the Nation released by NSC in 2000.  
#   #   #