RoSPA Press Office : Press Release
June 15, 2004
N. IRELAND VICTIMS JOIN CAMPAIGN TO STOP HOME ACCIDENTS
Northern Ireland home accident victims and their relatives have teamed up with RoSPA to tell their stories in an attempt to reduce the suffering caused by the province’s biggest accident problem.
Around 62,000 people in Northern Ireland go to hospital each year after a home accident and more than 70 are killed.
Some of the victims have volunteered to explain what happened to them in a new video/DVD training package produced by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents with support from the Department of Health and Social Services and Public Safety.
They include:
- A woman whose four-year-old son lost part of his feet through scalding after he turned on the hot taps when left alone in the bath;
- The daughter of a pensioner who broke her neck, wrist and hip because she failed to turn on a light and fell down stairs;
- A woman whose twin sister died from carbon monoxide poisoning after a heater had not been serviced and ventilation in a room had been blocked;
- And a man who had to smash his way out of his home because he did not have a smoke alarm to warn him a fire had started.
Janice Bisp, RoSPA Home Safety Manager for Northern Ireland, said; “These people have bravely agreed to tell their stories so that others may not have to go through the same pain and suffering.
“More than 40 per cent of all accidents happen in the home and a quarter of those hurt are under four. The others most at risk are the elderly.
“The new ‘Home is Where the Harm Is’ video can be used by community groups and health professionals, and includes teaching materials to help reinforce the home safety message.
“Life is not without risk, but if we can identify hazards and know how to avoid them, we can reduce the heartbreak caused by accidents and improve quality of life.”
The video costs £40 plus vat for RoSPA members and the DVD £50 (£45 and £55 for non-members). For more information on RoSPA’s training packages, contact Heather Holland on 02890 501161 or e-mail hholland@rospa.com .
