National Safety Month 2022

June is National Safety Month. The National Safety Council created the annual observance to increase public awareness of summertime safety risks, hopefully decreasing injuries and deaths.

If you and your family are headed out on vacation, or even if you’re just cruising to the beach, these summer safety tips can help keep everyone safe. Once you’ve considered the hazards, you can experience all the season has to offer with confidence and peace of mind.

Summer Safety Statistics

Most people associate summer with BBQs, vacations, and picnicking. While summer is prime time for making memories with friends and family, it’s also a season of heightened risk. The CDC presented a report on Summer Vital Statistics that included some sobering numbers for summertime fatalities.

The report looked at the month of July between 1999 and 2017 and found:

228 Americans died as a result of a lightning strike
279 Americans died as a result of a hornet, wasp, or bee sting
1,617 Americans died in watercraft accidents
2,917 Americans died due to heat exposure
8,178 Americans died due to drowning in a swimming pool or natural water
68,410 Americans died in a motor vehicle accident

It’s also worth noting that drinking and driving deaths increase during summer, with many driving home intoxicated after events and get-togethers. According to the National Highway Safety Administration, more people die in alcohol-related crashes in May, June, and July than in any other month.

Summer safety is all about preparation and awareness. When you understand and prepare for its unique conditions, you and your family are better equipped to enjoy all summertime has to offer.