Every June, National Safety Month serves as an important reminder of the need to prevent injuries and promote safe practices across all areas of life. Organized by the National Safety Council (NSC), this annual campaign encourages individuals, families, workplaces, and communities to recognize the preventable nature of many accidents and to take steps to reduce risk.

In the healthcare setting, safety is more than a guiding principle, it’s a critical part of protecting patients, staff, and the broader community. From clinical procedures to facility operations, injury prevention is a shared responsibility among healthcare professionals and the public alike.

According to the NSC, unintentional injuries are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. These include:

• Falls, particularly among older adults or hospitalized patients
• Motor vehicle crashes, which affect patients, emergency responders, and healthcare staff
• Workplace injuries, including needle sticks, lifting injuries, and chemical exposure
• Accidental poisonings, such as medication errors or unsafe storage of drugs

Within healthcare environments, patient safety concerns like medication mix-ups, hospital-acquired infections, and procedural complications can also fall under the broader umbrella of preventable harm. These incidents not only pose risks to health and recovery—they also contribute to longer hospital stays and higher healthcare costs.

Specifically for health systems and clinics, National Safety Month offers a structured opportunity to review internal safety practices and strengthen education for both staff and patients. Topics often include:

• Fall prevention programs for inpatients and at-risk populations
• Proper hand hygiene and infection control protocols
• Safe patient handling and transfer training to reduce staff injuries
• Emergency preparedness drills for fires, severe weather, and medical emergencies
• Medication safety awareness to reduce errors in prescribing and administration

Educating patients about safety at home is just as important. Discharge instructions often include fall prevention tips, safe medication use, and when to seek urgent care—all of which align with the mission of National Safety Month.

In both home and healthcare settings, injury prevention doesn’t always require costly interventions. Often, the most effective strategies are rooted in awareness, habits, and planning. In hospitals, this may include:

• Encouraging a “speak up” culture where staff and patients can report unsafe conditions
• Training staff to use equipment properly to avoid repetitive motion or lifting injuries
• Engaging patients in their care plans to help prevent complications and misunderstandings

In the community, healthcare providers can play a key role by offering education on topics like:

• Safe storage and disposal of medications to prevent accidental poisonings
• Helmet and seatbelt use to prevent trauma-related injuries
• Managing chronic conditions (like diabetes or osteoporosis) that raise the risk of injury

National Safety Month is a time to reflect, reassess, and re-engage. For individuals and families, it may mean evaluating your home for tripping hazards or updating your emergency contact list. For healthcare facilities, it could be the time to revisit safety policies, check for compliance gaps, or host a staff refresher training.

Whether you’re a nurse educating a patient, a caregiver organizing medications, or a health administrator planning a safety initiative, your actions matter. Even small changes—like teaching a patient to use a cane properly or double-checking a medication label—can have life-saving consequences.

By staying informed and taking preventive steps, we can all contribute to safer homes, safer hospitals, and safer communities, not just in June, but all year long.