Safe as Houses - Fact or Fiction?
Most people, on hearing of an accident will assume that it is a traffic accident, either a car crash or someone having been hit by a vehicle. However more than a third of all accidents to adults occur in the home – statistically you are more likely to be injured there than anywhere else!
There are many different types of accidents that can happen, in just about every room in the house. Most people will have a story to tell of something that happened to them, their family or friends – not surprising as every one and a half minutes someone somewhere is having some type of accident (at least one while you are reading this web page). Although accidents can befall anyone, the most susceptible members of our society are the young and the elderly.
Frightening Facts
Home accidents are the commonest cause of death in children over one year old.
Tragically for around 1500 elderly people a year and three children a week an accident in the home means death.
Falls are the greatest cause of accidental injury and death in all ages.
Interesting Information
Boys over nine months are twice as likely to have an accident as girls are.
Most accidents happen between late afternoon and early evening in the summer.
Around a third of all childhood accidents happen to the under fives
Senior Citizens
Falls
Most of us will have experienced a fall at some time or another in our lives and if we are lucky our pride is the only thing that is injured. That is not the case however for the 600 people over 65 years old who are injured in a fall every day.
Like many home accidents the risk of falls occurring can be greatly reduced with a little bit of thought.
Here are a few “Simple Steps to Safety” which can be taken to help prevent a tragedy occurring.
- keep floors and stairs free of clutter
- keep the staircase well lit
- fit a secure handrail – ideally on both sides of the stairs
- don’t have frayed or lifting carpets
- don’t rush – even to answer the phone or the door
- don’t wear old worn slippers (especially “mules”) – they might be comfy but they can easily cause tripping. Fully enclosed flat shoes or slippers are much safer
Children
Burning issues
Research has shown that burns and scalds (thermal injuries) make up the third most common group of child accidents. In fact in 1998 alone 2913 children were killed or injured in house fires with many more being permanently disfigured through burning or scalding.
There is no need however to get all “ het up” worrying. Yet again a few Simple Steps to Safety can greatly reduce the chance of a horrific accident occurring.
- keep children well away from hot surfaces – obvious, but ask at your local burns unit if this is being done
- Don’t hold a baby and a hot drink at the same time
- keep hot items off low tables and away from worktop edges. A mug of coffee can scald 15 minutes after pouring
- Don’t leave irons unattended, even while cooling
- keep pot handles turned inwards and use the back rings of the cooker where possible
- pour cold water into the bath before hot and setthe thermostat to <54oC. Fitting mixer taps is a good idea
As can be seen from this brief introduction, accidents don’t need to “just happen”. Keep watching for future updates and tips. In the meantime, for further information or advice please contact:
For further information please contact:
Collette Corry
Home Safety Officer
Community Services
Development and Regeneration Services
Nye Bevan House 2
20 India Street
Glasgow G2 4PF
Phone: 0141 287 9141
E-mail: collette.corry@drs.glasgow.gov.uk