National Safety Council News Release, June 5, 2002

For immediate release					
June 5, 2002
Contact: Joe Larkin						
630-775-2303

 Home and Community Safety Week is June 9-15
Focus on Fall Prevention

Itasca, IL -- The National Safety Council (NSC) has designated the week of June 9-15, 2002, Home and Community Safety Week.  During Home and Community Safety Week -- part of National Safety Month -- the focus is on preventing falls.  

NSC President Alan C. McMillan said, *Falls are the leading cause of home and community deaths, and the elderly are especially at risk. Our most vulnerable population will benefit from increased public awareness of ways to prevent falls in the home and community.* 

Falls caused or led to 15,400 deaths in America in 2000 (latest available data). More than half of those deaths (nearly 9,300) occurred as a result of falls in the home or on home premises.  Another 6,100 deaths occurred as a result of falls in public places.  While all age groups are vulnerable, 60 percent of fall-related deaths occur among people 65 and older. Falls are the number one cause of injury-related death for males 80 and older and for females 75 and older. One-fourth of those who sustain a hip fracture die within one year and another 50 percent never return to their prior level of mobility or independence. 

Home and Community Safety Week is sponsored by Lowe*s Home Safety Council which offers a wide range of safety resources including an interactive Home Safety IQ Quiz, online home safety games for children, free brochures that can be ordered online, and more at <http://www.loweshomesafety.org/>. 

The National Safety Council is supporting the Elder Fall Prevention Act of 2002 (see <http://www.nsc.org/news/bj032902.htm>) introduced in the U.S. Senate and House in February.  The Council is advising its constituents to write their Senators and Congressmen to urge them to support the bill. A sample letter is available on the Council*s website at <http://www.nsc.org/nsm.htm>. Interested persons should visit www.capitoladvantage.com <http://www.capitoladvantage.com> for information on how to contact legislators. The Elder Fall Prevention Act of 2002 will provide needed resources for education, research and demonstration projects aimed at reducing the risk of falls, identifying vulnerable populations and preventing repeat falls.

June 2-8 focused on driving safety. The next two weeks will focus on emergency preparedness (June 16-22) and workplace safety (June 23-29). For a comprehensive list of National Safety Month activities and safety tips, visit the NSC website at <http://www.nsc.org/nsm.htm>.  The National Safety Council is a not-for-profit, nongovernmental, international membership organization dedicated to protecting life and promoting health. 
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