Home Safety

More accidents happen at home than anywhere else.

Every year there are approximately 4000 deaths as the result of a home accident in the UK. Around 120 of these are below 15 years and 1300 over 75.
During 2002 there were 2.7 million home accidents requiring hospital treatment, of which 477,500 involved children under five.
Children under the age of 5 and people over 65 (particularly those over 75) are most likely to have an accident at home.
Falls are the most common accident especially to older people and young children. 55% of accidental injuries in the home involve falls. 93% of home accidents to over 65’s requiring hospital admission are as a result of a fall.
More accidents happen in the lounge/living room than anywhere else in the home.
The cost to society of UK home accident injuries has been estimated at £25,000 million annually.

“….because the accidents happen behind closed doors in isolated incidents they rarely attract public and media attention”. Royal society for the Prevention of Accidents

Unfortunately your home is the place where accidents are most likely to occur. Everyone should be aware of the dangers in the home so that accidents can be avoided. Older people and young children are the main priority groups for home safety.

Older people

The main target, for home accident prevention, are older residents.

“Those over 75 years of age are most at risk, suffering both the highest mortality rate and the most severe injuries. In 2002 an estimated 500,000 people aged over 75 years of age attended A & E as the result of a home accident”. (RoSPA)

During 2007 in the Scottish Borders there were a total of 327 emergency hospital admissions to over 65’s resulting from home accidents. This was a rise of 35 or 12% on the 2006 figures. By far the greatest cause of these injuries, 92% were as a result of a fall. The remaining 8% of injuries came from accidental poisoning by and exposure to noxious substances or exposure to inanimate mechanical forces.

A large percentage of falls could be avoided by observing simple safety advice and endeavoring to make the home environment as safe as possible.

Simple safety steps

Non slip bath mats and grab rails are vital safety precautions to help avoid slips in the bathroom.
Keep passage ways and stairs well lit and free from clutter, avoid using small mats and rugs as these often contribute to falls.
Use a pill dispenser to help ensure that any medicines are not accidentally overdosed. Remember not to mix alcohol with prescribed drugs and to keep medicines out of children’s reach.
Discard worn footwear as this can effect balance and contribute to trips and falls.
Try to avoid having to reach up to high shelves and cupboards and store articles at low level.

What if the worst happens?

Be prepared for an emergency.

Try to keep daily contact with friends, relatives or neighbours so they will quickly be alerted if an accident occurs.
Let them know if you are going away. Give your neighbour a key so they can check the house easily if they are concerned.
Keep your house warm to protect against hypothermia. Guard any fires to prevent falling against them and inflicting serious burns.
Enquire about BORDER CARE alarm systems which operate emergency call out services and supply distress alarms worn round the neck which give out a warning in an emergency situation.

Young children

“Accidental injuries are the commonest cause of death in children over one year of age. Every year they leave many thousands permanently disabled or disfigured.

Over 1 million children under the age of 15 experience accidents in and around the home every year, for which they are taken to Accident and Emergency Units. Many more are treated by General Practitioners and by parents and carers.

Those most at risk from a home accident are the 0-4 years age group. Falls account for the majority of non-fatal accidents whilst the highest number of deaths are due to fire. Most of these accidents are preventable through increased awareness, improvements in the home environment and greater product safety”. (Source :RoSPA)

In the Borders in 2007, a total 47 children under the age of five were emergency admissions as result of a home accident. This was a fall of 11 or 34% on the 2006 figures when there were 35 admissions.

The bulk of these accidents some 72% were as a result of two causes:

Falls accounting for 19 admissions (40%)
Accidental poisoning by and exposure to noxious substances 15 admissions for (32%).

The remaining home accident causes came largely from:

Contact with heat and hot substances, 7 admissions (15%)
Exposure to inanimate mechanical forces 4 admissions (9%).

General Safety Advice

Children should be supervised at all times.
Keep floors free of toys and obstructions that can be tripped over.
Always use a securely fitted safety harness in a pram, pushchair or highchair.
Never leave babies unattended on raised surfaces.
Do not place baby bouncers on raised surfaces - they could fall off with the movement of the baby.
The use of baby-walkers and table-mounted high chairs is not recommended.

Local contacts

Paul Richardson Community Safety Officer Tel: 01835 825058

Email: prichardson@scotborders.gov.uk

SBC Borders Care Tel: 01750 724 895

http://www.borderscareandrepair.org.uk/

Jill Hosker, Childminding Association

Email Jill.hosker@childminding.org

http://www.childminding.org/

Linda Davidson Family Support Manager Tel: 01750 21926

Email: ldavidson@scotborders.gov.uk

Scottish Borders Elder Voice Tel: 01896 75662

Scottish Borders Children's Information Service Tel: 01896 758186
Email: bordercare@scotborders.gov.uk