RoSPA Press Office : Press Releases : 2002

A dramatic increase in candle fires and casualties has sparked a Valentine’s Day warning from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. RoSPA fears lovers wanting to kindle the flames of romance could inadvertently start fires that will end in tragedy rather than passion. Full Story»

Companies and organisations that take pride in the safety performance of their drivers are being urged to apply for a new award. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents Award for Managing Occupational Road Risk covers fleets of all types, including company cars, trucks, vans and motorcycles. Full Story»

New RoSPA figures show a dramatic reduction in the number of accidental drownings in the UK - and the Society is now looking for bright ideas from experts to save even more lives in the future. Statistics released today show 439 people drowned in 2000 compared with 569 in 1999. Deaths among the under-15s fell from 54 to 40, and child drownings in garden ponds and water features showed a decline for the first time in several years, from 10 in 1999 to eight in 2000. Full Story»

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is celebrating a double success in an awards scheme which recognises the achievements of well-run charities. Birmingham-based RoSPA won the “strategic leadership” and “exceeding customer expectations” categories of the 1999 Best Practices Benchmarking and Awards programme, against competition from 200 other entries from non-profitmaking UK organisations. The Society also finished runner-up in the “motivating and retaining employees” section of the scheme, run by NGO Finance Magazine in conjunction with international business consultants, Arthur Andersen & Binder Hamlyn. Full Story»

Gary Hart's five-year prison sentence for causing the deaths of 10 people by dangerous driving was welcomed by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents today. Kevin Clinton, RoSPA Head of Road Safety, said: "The Selby case is a warning to us all of the terrible consequences of driving when tired. It also shows that the courts will not tolerate motorists putting lives at risks by continuing to drive when they are sleepy. Full Story»

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is calling on the Government to introduce a new package of measures to combat drink driving following the publication of figures for the Christmas and New Year period. RoSPA said it was disappointed that the percentage of drivers testing positive after crashes had increased– the figure was far too high and the worst for the last four years. Full Story»

High-tech gifts flooding into UK homes this Christmas will bring new accident problems to add to the traditional perils faced by families during the festive season. RoSPA estimates up to 80,000 people will go to hospital after accidents over the Christmas break. Along with the usual trips over toys, candle fires and burns from turkey fat will be a growing number of accidents with computers and other state-of-the-art gadgets. Full Story»

Take a look down the garden and save a child’s life, says The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. Hazards lurking in the back garden prove fatal to toddlers and young children every summer. New Government research which shows 80 per cent of pond drownings happen in the garden of a friend, relative or neighbour emphasises the need for parents to check out where their children are playing, and if it is safe. Full Story»

Thousands of families will gamble with their safety over the next few days by failing to plan back-garden firework displays properly, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents warned today. Hastily prepared bonfire parties are the ones most likely to end in disaster, RoSPA said. Out of 972 firework accidents last year, 421 happened at family or private parties. Full Story»

People are continuing to risk their lives by ignoring safety warnings and walking on frozen lakes, ponds, reservoirs and canals, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said today. RoSPA spokesman Roger Vincent said: "A lot of people are likely to go out walking at the weekend and with the cold spell continuing we are extremely concerned that there could be more tragedies in the next few days. Full Story»