Killers in the Home
ACCIDENTS in the home account for 4,000 deaths EVERY year. You are, believe it or not, at greater risk at home than behind the wheel of a car. As a quick reminder, one of the biggest killers as the result of accidents is SHOCK so watch for any sudden change in the casualty's condition as it's likely to be shock taking effect.
  • 250 die in the Kitchen

  • 40,000 hurt in Falls

  • 130,000 are burned

  • Chip pan Fires kill 30
The list here was a collaboration between The Sunday People and The Royal Society For The Prevention of Accidents to provide, room by room, some basic pointers on how to avoid the most common injuries:
 
KITCHEN
As many as 130,000 people are treated in hospital with burns or scalds every year and 250 of them die. Most victims are children under five.
    There are also 10,000 chip pan fires resulting in 30 deaths and every year 40,000 people go to hospital after slipping in the kitchen.
    Cuts cause 350,000 accidents a year and more than 36,000 children are treated for accidental poisoning.
 
ADVICE:
  • Never leave cooking unattended when grilling, boiling or frying nor leave clothes to dry unattended by a fire or over a cooker.
  • Uses a correctly fitted safety harness in toddlers high chairs. Keep chemicals like washing powder, insecticides and shoe polish in a locked cupboard.
  • If you discover a fire, get out, stay out and call the fire brigade.

 
BATHROOM
Two children die every year after being scalded in the bath and remember, a child can drown in seconds in as little as three inches of water. Cosmetics and medicines also cause thousands of serious accidents to children.
 
ADVICE:
  • Test the water temperature before putting a child in and never leave a youngster unattended in the bathroom.
  • Use non-slip mats and keep medicines in child resistant containers and out of their reach.
  • Turn down the temperature of your water heater from 60°C to 50°C - it will also save you money.
     
LIVING ROOM
Every year 30 people die from accidents involving fires or heaters. Elderly people are particularly at risk.
 
ADVICE:
  • Always use guards round fires and heaters and don't dry clothes on or near them. Extinguish cigarettes properly and make sure chimneys and flues are swept.
  • Keep floors free of toys and NEVER leave candles unattended.

 
BEDROOM
Electric blankets cause 20 deaths a year and one in 10 deaths in the home is caused by choking.
 
ADVICE:
  • Never smoke in bed. Switch off electric blankets before getting into bed and check they carry the new BEAB safety marking. (Ensure they are also completely flat when making the bed.)
  • Make sure toys don't have parts that can be easily swallowed and avoid using baby-walkers - they account for numerous accidents.

 
STAIRS
Each year 1,000 people die using their own stairs, yet one third of us still leave objects lying on them.
 
ADVICE:
  • Keep stairways clear of clutter and if you have young children put up a gate. Make sure handrails are secure and carpets are in good repair.

 
THE GARDEN
There are 30,000 accidents involving ladders each year and thousands more from using garden equipment
    A number of children drown every year in garden pools and others swallow weed-killers and insecticides.
 
ADVICE:
  • Tidy away tools after use; put netting over garden ponds and empty paddling pools immediately after use.
  • Site bonfires and barbecues well away from hedges, fences and sheds. Never use petrol to light barbecues and keep a bucket of water handy.

 
OTHER DANGERS
More than 50 people die annually from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by faulty heating appliances and around five children die and 15,000 have accidents each year with glass in doorss and windows.
    Clothing fires cause 80 deaths a year; pets cause many accidents, especially to children, and every year around 80 people die doing DIY and 100,000 are injured.
 
ADVICE:
  • Have central heating overhauled annually and fit smoke alarms.
  • Use safety glass in all replacement windows and doors.
  • Never leave pets alone with children.
     
FOR AN ACCIDENTAL FALL
Don't move the victim. Ask where it hurts and look for swelling or changes in colour and shape. Get medical help.
 
BURNS AND SCALDS
Do not remove clothing and place injury under cold runnong water for at least five minutes.
    If clothing is on fire, lie the victim down and smother the flames by wrapping them in a coat, curtain or a non-nylon blanket. (If flames allow you to get near the victim, you can slowly roll them to extinguish the flames.)
  		CHOKING
Firstly, try to remove any blockage with your fingers. If the victim is a child, quickly turn them upside down or put them across your knee and slap firmly between the shoulder blades. With an adult you can give them a sudden firm hug, sufficiently strong to force breath out, from behind. N.B. With the blockage, do NOT try to 'wash it down'.
 
POISONING
Call an ambulance and show the paramedics any suspect containers.
 

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