The city of Chicago is known for turning its major waterway, the Chicago River, green each St. Patrick’s Day, but it’ll be the lights on major buildings that will go green during the month of June, in observance of National Safety Month.
Based on a request by the National Safety Council (NSC), to the Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago (BOMA), the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois building, Prudential Plaza, USG at 550 W Adams St. and The Wrigley Building, 400-410 North Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill., have agreed to participate in the specialty lighting.
The NSC is calling on other iconic buildings and skyscrapers both in Chicago and across the country to follow suit and help educate the public about the unprecedented rise in preventable deaths – commonly known as “accidents.”
Participating buildings will turn green from June 3-10. Each building participates in the BOMA Building Lighting Partner Program – an initiative to light up the skyline for various civic and philanthropic causes. In addition to lighting the buildings green, properties have the option of using their lights to spell out various messages. For National Safety Month, participating building owners are encouraged to use the slogan, “No One Gets Hurt.”
“Chicago is literally lighting the way for safety,” said Deborah A.P. Hersman, NSC president and CEO. “During National Safety Month we bring attention to preventable deaths and efforts to ensure that No One Gets Hurt on our roadways, in our workplaces or anywhere in between. We are proud that our ‘Sweet Home Chicago’ is leading that charge.”
For the first time in United States history, “accidents” are the third leading cause of death, trailing only heart disease and cancer. Accidental, preventable incidents claim a life every 3 minutes and account for more deaths each year than strokes, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes or suicides. More than 5,500 Illinoisans died from preventable incidents in 2016[i] and poisonings – driven by the opioid crisis – are the leading cause of preventable death across the state and the nation.[ii]
The NSC observes National Safety Month every June to raise awareness about the everyday safety risks facing Americans and offer tips and resources to reduce harm. This year’s theme, No One Gets Hurt, is intended to help people understand that doing just one small thing – wearing a seat belt, wiping up a spill, taking a First Aid class, or attending a car seat check, for example – can mitigate significant risks. Both the public and employers are encouraged to observe National Safety Month, which focuses on issues such as emergency preparedness, wellness, falls and motor vehicle safety. The Council also is offering its world-class online First Aid course for free June 1-10.
Visit nsc.org/nsm for additional information and free resources. Building managers who decide to light their building green are encouraged to let the Council know by emailing media@nsc.org or promoting their participation on Twitter using the hashtag, #No1GetsHurt.
[i] According to Injury Facts 2017
[ii] According to Injury Facts 2017
