Home Safety

Safe as Houses?

A recent survey of 265 people showed that most people think that their home is safe.

However, ACC statistics show that the home is actually the most common place to be injured. In fact, one in seven New Zealanders are injured in their homes each year. In the last financial year, one third of all injuries happened at home, at a cost of more than $377 million.

More than 650,000 New Zealanders will sustain a home injury this year. More than 36,000 of those injuries will require hospitalisation, while 500 of those injured will die. Home injuries are both serious and common and the number of fatal home injuries is nearly five times that of workplace fatalities.

Could it happen to me?

According to research, 55% of New Zealanders think that there is a risk of injury in the home, but only 15% believe a home injury will happen to them.

So, while most people appear to think they won’t be injured, the statistics show a different story.

To test your knowledge about home safety, check out the Safety NZ Week 2009 Home Safety Quiz.

Keeping Safe at Home

This years’ Safety NZ Week (7-13^th September 2009) is part of an ongoing ACC campaign to educate New Zealanders about the risks that exist at home, and provides simple tips to avoid injuries.

The steps to stay safe are often very simple but could save lives. For example, fitting non-slip shower and bath mats, wearing non-slip shoes or slippers on wooden floors, and keeping areas around your – especially stairways – clear of clutter and well-lit.

For more information on Safety NZ Week please visit the Safety Week website.