Around 2.7 million people seek hospital treatment as a result of accidents that occur in the home in the UK each year. Over a third of all accidents to adults occur in the home and in 2002 almost 900,000 children under 15 had an accident sustained at home. The biggest cause of accidents in the home is due to falls. The total cost annually of all home accidents is estimated to be £25 billion each year. In 2004, 2,939 Bromley residents of all ages were admitted to hospital as a result of an accident.
In Bromley, various initiatives are being undertaken to help reduce accidents due to falling. Young children under 5 are also at an increased risk of having an accident at home.
Initiatives such as the assistance with getting stairgates and fireguards are available to help disadvantaged families in Bromley. For older people (65+) a Bromley multi-agency falls group works to prevent falls for older people.
Further information is available from the Department of Trade and Industry, Age Concern, the British Safety Council, ROSPA, the Child Accident Prevention Trust and the London Fire Brigade.