RoSPA Press Office : Press Release
May 23, 2001
SAFETY TEAMWORK NEEDED TO REDUCE HOME ACCIDENTS
Malcolm Chisholm, Scottish Executive Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care, will urge safety professionals at a conference tomorrow to work together in a bid to reduce the high number of accidents in Scotland’s homes.
According to The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, nearly 1,000 people a day seek medical treatment in Scotland after suffering an accident in the home, and more than 20,000 are hospitalised each year.
The conference, "Home Safety and Injury Prevention – Forging the Links", organised by RoSPA and supported by the Scottish Executive, will be held at the Holiday Inn, Queensferry Road, Edinburgh.
Malcolm Chisholm will be giving the keynote address, discussing ways for safety practitioners to highlight good practice and to encourage professionals to share ideas.
He said: "A safe domestic environment helps create conditions in which health and well-being can prosper, while an unsafe home can lead to accidental injury that can in turn erode well-being and confidence.
"Prevention is better than cure, and we are working to bring together all the key organisations which can play a role in increasing awareness and creating safer homes, including local authorities, health boards and voluntary organisations such as RoSPA. I look forward to seeing these organisations work together to take an integrated approach towards creating healthier homes in Scotland."
Other speakers include: Councillor James McCabe, leader of North Lanarkshire Council; Steve Bell, acting health promotion manager for the Highland Health Board; Dr Tom Beattie, from Edinburgh Sick Children’s NHS Trust; and Tim Kendrick, chair of the Scottish Local Authorities Community Safety Forum.
Sarah Colles, RoSPA Home Safety Adviser, said: "More accidents happen in the home than anywhere else, and this conference is an ideal opportunity to promote a better understanding of the problem.
"The event will provide a platform for home safety professionals to share expertise and experience with like-minded people."
