We all think of home as our safe space – somewhere to retire to at the end of a long, hard day, and spend quality time with our loved ones. Not many of us think of it as a place that poses a threat to our physical wellbeing, but the statistics tell a slightly different story.
Data from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Injuries reveals that the home is the most common location for accidents, and sadly there are around 6,000 deaths per year as a result. It seems our humble abodes may not be quite the safe haven we thought they were, so let’s look at some of the facts and figures in greater detail.
Where do accidents happen in the home?
A survey of 2,000 people carried out by National Accident Helpline, who specialise in no win no fee personal injury claims, found that 60% of respondents had hurt themselves in the kitchen. With sharp knives, hot stoves and boiling pans of water to contend with, it’s an area of the home that has the potential to cause serious harm.
While results showed the kitchen to be comfortably the most hazardous room, the garden (33%) and perhaps surprisingly the living room (31%) were next highest on the list. At the other end of the scale, only 11% of respondents reported suffering an injury in the attic.
Which objects pose the greatest danger?
The dangers in the kitchen are numerous, so it’s little surprise that 49% said they had hurt themselves using knives, while 24% had burned themselves on the hob. A third of respondents had suffered an injury while working out with exercise equipment and more than one-in-five (21%) had done so while using a ladder.
Where are the clumsiest cities in the UK?
Residents of Sheffield, look away now. Of those in the steel city, 92% reported suffering multiple injuries – just topping those in the Welsh capital of Cardiff (91%). People in Norwich and Edinburgh (82% and 80% respectively) are also clumsier than most, but those living in Belfast are seemingly more careful, with only 40% of respondents suffering a mishap on more than one occasion.
What can you do to prevent accidents in the home?
Most accidents occur as a result of absent mindedness or distraction, which is part of human nature and therefore difficult to eradicate. There are some preventative measures you can take, however, such as mopping up any spills as soon as they happen, making sure any stray wires or leads are tucked away and only carrying out potentially hazardous tasks when you know someone else is either in the house or nearby to help.
