Preventive medecine: safety in the home

PREVENTIVE MEDECINE: SAFETY IN THE HOME

Although many learned researchers talk about the 'psychodynamics' (i.e. the interplay between physiological and other factors) of accidents, especially accidents in the home, there is little doubt that most accidents are caused through carelessness and thoughtlessness. Over 2 million people are involved in accidents in their homes every year in the UK, a figure which considerably exceeds (in numbers if not severity) the far more widely publicized figure for road accidents. In Britain, accidents at home account for one in 112 of all deaths, and 37 per cent of all accidental deaths. This represents over 6,000 deaths in any one year. The very old and the very young are especially at risk from domestic hazards.
Most accidents at home occur in the kitchen (12 per cent) or living room (12 per cent), with the seemingly more dangerous garden next (9 per cent). In very young children, falls, burns and scalds, fires, suffocation and poisoning head the list of dangers, whereas older children suffer cuts, bruises and broken bones. Old people may accidentally take too many drugs. They may also fall more as their senses dull and this leads to an increase in cuts and burns. Seventy-five per cent of all injuries needing hospital treatment are cuts and bruises, sprains, fractures, dislocations, burns or scalds. Prevention often simply involves careful planning of your environment and daily life to reduce the risk of accidents.
There are special hazards encountered with fire, electricity, gas and water. Fire can often be prevented. The Home Office booklet Dangers from Fire is free to every household and is well worth reading. It is aimed at prevention and is available from local authorities, local fire prevention departments and county fire brigade headquarters. Electricity and gas in the home should be treated with respect. Always consult experts if in doubt. Many domestic fires start because of unsafe wiring, plugs and appliances.
It is never too early to start thinking about safety. If you have small children you have moral and certain legal responsibilities to protect them from danger. Remember too that a child under the age of 16 cannot be held responsible for his or her own safety and well-being or for that of another child under 16-you as the adult are responsible. Get your children to respect danger, especially in connection with fire, gas, electricity and water and encourage them to think of the safety of others as soon as they are old enough.

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GENERAL HEALTH

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