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Friday The 13th One Of The Safest Days On The Calendar, Studies Show

By Jim Melwert

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Bad news for the superstitious: it's Friday the 13th.

Call it irrational, but millions of Americans are scared of the inauspicious day.

"Of course, because I think about it, because you never know what's going to happen Friday the 13th, so just go to work, go home and do the right thing, that's all."

A study shows there are actually fewer accidents on the 13th of a month when it falls on a Friday, because, for example, people are afraid to travel, hundreds of millions of dollars are lost on Friday the 13ths.

Still, many Americans fear the day, and will alter their routines. For Tracey, that means taking the stairs. "Um, elevators, just need to be safe that's all."

Looks like Tracey will get a workout this year, as there are three Fridays on the 13th of the month in 2012. That only happens once every 11 years.

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