RoSPA Press Office : Press Releases : Home Safety

The major impact of children’s accidents on Scottish families, society and agencies will be highlighted at a seminar in Glasgow on Tuesday (June 24) as part of Child Safety Week. The effects of an accident can last a lifetime, and more than 160 professionals working with children and their families will meet at the Quality Hotel Central to raise awareness of the seriousness of the problem. Full Story»

A major campaign to reduce the number of Welsh children suffering burns and scalds will be launched tomorrow (Tuesday, June 17) by a woman who was badly scalded as a toddler. Thousands of posters and coasters in Welsh and English will be distributed throughout the principality to highlight the dangers of hot drinks, saucepans, teapots, kettles and baths. There are particular concerns about youngsters who pull hot drink on top of themselves from tables. Full Story»

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said today that it was “appalled” by the Government’s decision to axe the major source of data used in the fight against home and leisure accidents. The Department of Trade and Industry is to scrap the Home and Leisure Accident Surveillance System, which has been in existence since 1976. The system, often referred to as HASS and LASS, gives details of the types of accidents which people have and the products and equipment that contribute to them. Full Story»

DIY and gardening accidents are expected to soar during the Easter break as people spruce up their homes following the wear and tear of winter. Easter is the first long weekend for thousands of families since the Christmas holiday, and is traditionally the time for repair jobs, decorating and clearing up the lawn and flower beds. Full Story»

Every year over 70,000 people living in Northern Ireland attend hospital because of an accident in their home, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said today. Nearly 10,000 of them will be admitted because of their injury and 100 will die. To raise public awareness, a roadshow organised by RoSPA and co-ordinated by local Environmental Health Departments, will be touring the province in April in a bid to cut these deaths and injuries. Full Story»

RoSPA is offering a platform for people with proven ideas for stopping home accidents to spread the word about their success. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is seeking speakers for its national home safety congress in November entitled Reducing Home Accidents – What Works?. Full Story»

Thousands of people will be cooking up trouble for themselves if they don’t take care this Christmas, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents warned today. Hot fat, boiling water and sharp knives are just a few of the things that will make the kitchen one of the most dangerous places to be during the holiday. More than 80,000 people are likely to attend hospital after a Christmas home accident. Full Story»

Christmas decorations and lights will add a new threat if the firefighters’ strikes continue, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents warned today. Sarah Colles, RoSPA Home Safety Adviser, said: “Families are already starting to put up trimmings, candles, lights and trees - which have all been associated with fires in the past. Full Story»

Businesses and residents could face extra problems this weekend if the firefighters strike goes ahead, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents warned today. The second strike will cover a weekend for the first time. Call-outs to house fires often peak when people are cooking. Many families will cook more meals at home during the weekend than when they are at work or children are at school. Full Story»

A record number of home safety professionals will meet next week in an attempt to beat the UK’s biggest accident problem. Every year about 4,000 people are killed as a result of an accident in the home and more than 2.8 million seek medical assistance. Full Story»