A new Home Safety Council survey conducted to uncover American home safety practices and perceptions has found that, while the vast majority of Americans feel safest in their homes, statistics prove that homes across the nation are not as safe as they should be. The survey, which polled residents of major metropolitan areas, is featured during Home Safety Month in June as part of the Home Safety Council’s Hands on Home Safety campaign.
Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council, advises families to take simple steps to find and fix hazards before an injury occurs. “Statistics show that in-home injuries cause nearly 20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits each year,” says Appy. “Our survey shows that families feel safest within their home, however, they need to understand that there can be a great risk of injury within the home environment. To make the perception of safety at home a reality, families need to take simple steps to find and fix hazards before an injury occurs.”
Additional survey findings reveal that 97 percent of respondents are confident their home offers a safe environment, however, more than half recognize there are potential home hazards that could put their family at risk. The most common reasons given for not taking action to increase the safety of their homes include: not having time (48 percent) and not knowing what actions to take (28 percent).
The Home Safety Council’s Hands on Home Safety campaign, launched during June’s Home Safety Month, is a response to these survey findings and the overall toll in-home injuries take on Americans each year. The campaign serves as a national call to action for families to take a hands-on approach to find and fix home hazards. Visit www.homesafetycouncil.org for more information.
