RoSPA Press Office : Press Releases : Home Safety

A 10-point plan to make new homes safer will be launched at the first Wales Home Safety Council national conference on Thursday (November 7). Pembrokeshire architect John Pickett has worked with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents on simple ideas to make new houses considerably safer for less than £900. Full Story»

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents is urging families to “think big” as bonfire celebrations get into full swing over the next few days. Last year, firework injuries rose by a frightening 40 per cent to 1,362 – the worst statistics since 1995. RoSPA says the best way to bring the figures down is for people to attend properly-organised, public displays. Full Story»

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents today issued its Top Ten Tips to avoid fires in the event of a fire-fighters strike. Full Story»

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents today issued an urgent reminder about the tight new firework regulations in Northern Ireland. Anyone letting off fireworks now has to have a licence - fines of up to £5000 can be imposed for breaking the law. The only exceptions are indoor fireworks and sparklers, but even these still need to be handled with care. The safest thing to do is to attend a public display. Full Story»

People living in Northern Ireland are three times more likely to be killed by carbon monoxide poisoning than anywhere else in the United Kingdom, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents warned today. To raise public awareness, a roadshow organised by RoSPA and co-ordinated locally by Environmental Health Departments, will be making stops throughout the province in September in a bid to cut deaths and poisoning incidents. Full Story»

People across Northern Ireland are at risk from a “silent killer” which may have entered their homes following recent torrential rain, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents warned today. RoSPA is advising all solid fuel users to get their chimneys swept because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. The heavy rain may have loosened soot inside chimneys, causing it to slide down and block the chimney or throat plate area. If the fire is lit, deadly carbon monoxide gas could be produced, and with no escape route, these poisonous fumes could kill anyone who breathes them in. Full Story»

An urgent Jubilee weekend firework warning was issued by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents today as new figures revealed a shock increase in the number of firework casualties. Accidents around Bonfire Night 2001 were 40 per cent up on the year 2000, and were the worst statistics since 1995, it has just been announced. Full Story»

DIY mania is set to sweep Britain again this weekend as thousands of ill-prepared householders begin repairing their homes after the ravages of winter. But as Easter signals the start of the home improvement season, it also heralds a steep increase in the number of people attending hospital as a result of DIY jobs that have gone wrong. Full Story»

New ways to persuade people and organisations to work together to fight the menace of home accidents will be explored at a conference planned by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. Every year about 4,000 people are killed in the UK as a result of an accident in the home and more than 2.8 million seek medical assistance. Full Story»

A dramatic increase in candle fires and casualties has sparked a Valentine’s Day warning from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. RoSPA fears lovers wanting to kindle the flames of romance could inadvertently start fires that will end in tragedy rather than passion. Full Story»