Home Safety

There are about 2.8 million home accidents each year where the victim visits an Accident and Emergency department for treatment. In addition, there are a similar number of cases where the victim is treated by a General Practitioner, as well as millions of minor cases, which are treated at home.

Every year there are over 3,000 deaths in the UK due to home accidents - more than on the roads. The Government in its 1999 White Paper 'Saving Lives - Our Healthier Nation' highlighted accidents as one of four key areas for action.

Targets have been set to reduce accidental death and serious injury rates by at least 20% and 10% respectively by 2010.

More than a third of all accidents to adults take place in the home, the largest single cause of accidents in the UK.

Each year almost a million children under the age of 15 seek hospital attention following a home accident.

Around 1500 over 65's die following a fall in the home.

The total cost of home accident injuries has been estimated at £25 billion per annum.

A significant reduction in home accidents will not only alleviate unnecessary pain and suffering but will also have a major impact on the loading of Hospital Accident and Emergency Units, Social Services, Fire Brigades etc, thus releasing resources for other work.

The Government Web site for the Department of Trade and Industry [DTI] (Opens new window to external site) provides clear and comprehensive information and advice to help us to avoid accidents in and around the home and about how to deal with them when they do occur.

Other useful links:
Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Opens new window to external site)
Directgov Fire Safety in the Home (Opens new window to external site)
Home Office Staying Safe at Home (Opens new window to external site)
Child Accident Prevention Trust (Opens new window to external site)
Fire Kills Campaign (Opens new window to external site)