Accidents Don't Have to Happen

Some people think that accidents are just one of those things that happen. They chalk them up to bad luck, or fate, or superstition.

And sometimes, especially when something truly terrible happens, this can be a comforting way to look at the world.

The problem is, it's simply not true.

For 100 years we've been working with families and businesses around the world to save lives and stop people being hurt. From the introduction of seatbelts, to the campaign to stop drink driving, to raising awareness about the dangers of blind cords, the lesson we've learnt is clear – accidents don't have to happen.

We're not saying it's easy. If it was, then hundreds of thousands of people wouldn't have their lives devastated by accidents every single year. But the truth is, it can be done. In fact, people like Lucy owe their lives to following simple advice.

We all have the power to protect our loved ones and ourselves. Accidents really don't have to happen. By looking out for each other and sharing our stories, advice and experience, we can make sure we all get the chance to live our lives to the full!

Five life-saving tips for preventing accidents

Tune in

With so many distractions in our lives today - mobile phones, tablets, MP3 players - it is easy to lose track of the world around us. Sadly this can mean we don't notice we're in danger until it's too late. By tuning into our environment, especially in dangerous spots like near roads, in the kitchen or by water, we stand a better chance of staying alive!

Closer supervision

When it comes to serious accidents, young children are particularly vulnerable, as they often haven't developed the skills to look after themselves properly. We all know that bumps, bruises and grazes part of growing up, and children certainly shouldn't be 'wrapped in cotton wool'. However we do need to take extra special care to keep a close eye on our kids – especially in potentially life-threatening situations. After all, it only takes a second for an everyday situation to go horribly wrong.

Learn from your mistakes

How many times in your own life have you breathed a sigh of relief when something bad nearly happened... but didn't? In fact, experts have calculated that for every 600 near misses, there is one serious accident. However, while it's true that most of the time we do 'get away with it', it's that one time that we don't that we can end up regretting for the rest of our lives. Don't take the chance. If you have a near miss, learn the lesson. Take action to make sure it doesn't happen again. Next time things might not work out so well.

Think like a worker

Generally speaking, businesses are increasingly good at keeping their workers safe. In fact, thanks to the hard work of many organisations, including RoSPA, workplaces accidents in the UK have fallen steadily since the mid-twentieth century. The great news is, these lessons don't just apply to workplaces. Much of the advice is just as useful in the home or out on the road. We can all learn from their decades of experience to help our families stay alive and healthy.

Spread the word

One of our greatest tools in the battle against unnecessary accidents is to share our experiences with others. Remember, there's no such thing as common sense. We only have the knowledge we have because we've picked it up from others along the way. Give others that gift of knowledge by sharing your stories of accidents and near-misses. You just might save a life!