Americans' Pessimistic View of Accident Prevention Poses Hurdle to Reducing Injuries, S...(dchemicals were most commonly associated...),Health

"It's clear people don't understand what is really happening in their homes and communities, which detracts from efforts to reduce injuries including deaths from poisonings," said McMillan. "The fact is, we can control the risks of accidental deaths through education, and where we have buy-in from individuals, organizations, businesses and communities, the rate of accidental injuries decreases."

The survey also indicates that the nation is receptive to safety advocacy efforts. A majority of the respondents believe they can act to prevent accidents, and three-quarters (76 percent) say their companies are concerned about injury prevention at work. This focus on occupational safety is reflected in a 17 percent decline in the workplace accidental death rate since 1992.

Respondents also expressed confidence in their employers' ability to deal with emergency situations in the workplace. Sixty-one percent of respondents believe their employer is prepared to deal with emergency situations, compared with their family, at 57 percent, and their community, at 50 percent.

"These are positive developments that reinforce the Council's commitment to work with employers to safeguard employees and their families where they are at greatest risk -- in their homes and communities," McMillan said.

Asked what precautions they have taken in their homes to prepare for an emergency, 84 percent of respondents said they have one or more smoke detectors, 63 percent have one or more first aid kits, and 46 percent have looked for and corrected hazardous areas or situations around the house.

One disturbing trend is that only 25 percent have taken a first aid/CPR/AED class in the last two years despite that fact the heart disease is the leading cause of death in the nation and 75-80 percent of cardiac arrests occur in homes.

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