A to Z of services: Home safety

The cost to the National Health Service of treating home accident injuries is estimated at £450 million per year, with an additional £1,740 million for the cost of lost output. Some facts and figures:

• The biggest single cause of accidents is human error.
• With forethought most accidents could be prevented.
• More people are injured in their own homes than anywhere else.
• In 1995 home accidents accounted for 37% of all accidents requiring hospital treatment.
• Falls of one kind or another account for over 38% of all home accidents.
• Fire is one of the most serious hazards in any home. It is fast spreading, lethal and devastating, yet very often preventable.
• Accidents involving children often occur in the presence of an adult. Many accidents occur in the home from everyday activities such as children playing, preparing food, simply moving about the house, carrying out DIY and other household repairs

For information on preventing accidents in the home, visit the ROSPA website.