RoSPA Press Office : Press Releases : 1998

The humble British chip is an indicator of people’s lack of respect for fire, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said today. With Fire Safety Week beginning on Monday (September 28), latest figures show an 11 per cent increase in chip pan fires - around 11,300 a year. Such fires lead to 30 deaths and injury to 3,000 people a year. Full Story»

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents today supported proposals for lighter evenings, following Lord Archer’s suggestions for England. John Howard, RoSPA Director of Safety Policy, said: "We believe lighter evenings would be a positive move in terms of road safety. It is not our position to present the other arguments for or against. Full Story»

A major initiative to reduce the number of accidents between lorries and cyclists has been launched by a working group established by the National Cycling Forum. More than 100,000 leaflets are being distributed through road safety officers, cycling groups, safety organisations and heavy goods vehicle associations to promote better care on the road between cyclists and lorries. Full Story»

Public Health Minister Tessa Jowell will make the keynote speech at a RoSPA congress to investigate ways of reducing home accidents in deprived areas. The congress, entitled Reducing Inequalities in Health Through Effective Targeting, will focus mainly on the dangers facing children and the elderly. Full Story»

The death of Midland schoolboy Raymond Southall is a tragic holiday reminder to everyone of the danger of water, a spokesman for The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said today. Last year 440 people drowned accidentally in the UK. And 48 of them were under 15 years-old - 39 of those were boys. Inland open waters - like pools, lakes, rivers, reservoirs, streams and canals - are a particular threat to children. Full Story»

Scottish Hydro Electric has won Scotland’s top health and safety award presented by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. The company will be presented with the RoSPA Scotland Award at the Glasgow Moat House on October 1. Scottish Hydro Electric will receive the trophy for achieving the highest standard of entry by a Scottish company in the Society’s national awards scheme. Full Story»

Safety implications of the increasing popularity of indoor play areas are dealt with in a new video pack available from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. Play Your Part is a supervisors guide to the safe and efficient operation of an indoor play area - there are now more than 1,000 in the UK alone. It includes a training and safety handbook with checklists of written questions for staff. Full Story»

New checks on seatbelts, which come into force on August 1, were welcomed by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents today as a vital step in the battle to reduce deaths and injuries on Britain’s roads. Last year all 50 MOT testing stations chosen at random by the Society for a national seatbelt survey passed a damaged car belt - and most failed to spot other seatbelt faults. Full Story»

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has set up a top level "think tank" to combat the worrying number of home accidents revealed in a new government report. The Department of Trade and Industry’s Home Accident Surveillance System report shows that 10 people are killed and 7,000 need medical treatment every day after home accidents. Full Story»

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents today revealed the key safety issues it wants the Government to back in the coming year to tackle a worrying toll of deaths and injury. RoSPA’s agenda for accident prevention includes proposals to review consumer laws, reduce drownings, cut home and works accidents and improve the standards of novice drivers.Full Story»