Home safety and security

Did you know:-

• The biggest single cause of accidents is human error.

• Most people are injured in their own homes than anywhere else.

• Around 4000 deaths are the result of accidents in the home and around 1300 of these are the over 75’s.

• Falls account for over 55% of all home accidents

• 1500 people aged over 75 die as a result of a fall

• Fire is one of the most serious hazards in any home.

• Accidents involving children often occur in the presence of an adult

• Around 25,000 under 5’s are admitted to A & E for being accidentally poisoned and 26,000 attend due to being either burnt or scalded.

• Accidents within the home often occur from everyday activities such as children playing, preparing food or carrying out DIY.

The Facts –

Children within the home

· Around 10 children die every year as a result of falls in the home. 44% of accidents within the home are due to falls..

· House fires are the biggest single cause of death to children in the home.

· Every year over 2000 children are seriously scalded in baths.

· Children can drown in less than 3cm of water.

Older People within the home

· Hypothermia is a main contributing factor to around 400 deaths a year for the over 65’s.

It is estimated that about 500,000 people over 75’s attend A&E Departments due to accidents within the home.

· Fear of crime can affect your health by causing depression and anxiety.

Home Safety

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Home Safety Initiative aims to reduce accidents to children and older people within the home. We also aim to reduce the fear to older people of crime within their home.

What to look out for?

There a number of items to be aware of within the home to ensure that it is safe. Having approved smoke detectors fitted on each floor and keeping all chemicals stored away from children’s reach are a couple.

You can assess whether your home is safe by following the ‘Home Safety Checklist’ which can be downloaded from the ‘Royal Society for the Prevention Accidents’ website. This will give you an outline of what hazards to look out for and will also give advice on what steps can be taken.

The key areas the checklist will address for young children within the home are the risk of falls, fire, electrocution, scalds, burns and poisoning.

The key areas the checklist will address for older people will be the risk of falls, fire, electrocution and prevention of burglary.

You can also find further information with regards to Fire Safety within the home from Hampshire Fire and Rescue service website.

If you have completed this checklist and still feel that you require further advice please contact the Housing Standards Team at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council on 01256 845331 or email housing@basingstoke.gov.uk who will be able to give you further assistance.