This October marks the second annual National Substance Abuse Prevention Month – an observance to highlight the vital role of substance abuse prevention in both individual and community health and to remember those who have lost their lives to substance abuse. 

October has become the official month for recognizing and celebrating the practice of crime prevention, while promoting awareness of important issues such as victimization, volunteerism, and creating safer, more caring communities. The month-long celebration spotlights successful crime prevention efforts on the local, state, and national levels.

Occupational hearing loss is one of the most common work-related illnesses in the United States. Each year, about 22 millionexternal icon U.S. workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels at work. Over 30 millionexternal icon U.S. workers are exposed to chemicals, some of which are harmful to the ear (ototoxic) and hazardous to hearing.

Step right up for National Walk to School Day – October 2, 2019! Registration is now open. Join the movement that inspires the entire community to come together and promote health and safer routes for students to walk and bike to school. 

This year’s FPW campaign, “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!” works to educate everyone about the small but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.

This week - and every week, parents should have conversations with their teens about the important rules they need to follow to stay safe behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. These rules address the greatest dangers for teen drivers: alcohol, inconsistent or no seat belt use, distracted and drowsy driving, speeding, and number of passengers.

Held during the third full week of October each year, National School Bus Safety Week is an active and evolving public education program and an excellent way for parents, students, teachers, motorists, school bus operators, school administrators, and other interested parties - to join forces and address the importance of school bus safety.

To bring heightened awareness to the perils of driving while sleep deprived, the National Sleep Foundation declares November 3-10 as Drowsy Driving Prevention Week ®. The Foundation’s annual outreach effort aims to reduce the number of drivers who decide to drive sleep deprived — responsible for more than 6,400 U.S. deaths annually — through accessible research and communications tools.