At the time of writing my dissertation (a very long time ago) I did a section on risk perception and the figures I quoted were somewhere in the region of: 500 people die every year falling down their stairs at home and about 21 die putting on their socks and turning off their alarm clock.

I wouldn't have a clue how 'safe' homes are but not as safe people think.

....but I go out and leave the washing machine on and the tumble dryer on and the dishwasher. And stand on swivel chairs and mow the lawn in bare feet......quite ironic that bit I'll do what I like in my own home!!

One can only guess at the number of accidents that take place in the home as no records are kept to demonstrate if this is true or not. But, when you look at the number of emergency addmissions to local hospitals each day it is a fair bet that it is true that many accidents are to people when they are not at work. This accounts for accidents when in the local park, the street and anywhere else people go during thier own time. If anyone can provide firm evidence about accidents either in the home or elsewhere other than workplace accidents it would cutainly be interesting reading.

Hi Bob, That answer whilst intersting covers only those accidents that result in treatment at a hospital or doctors surgery, what about the number of accidents that are not treated by such places, although minor they would if at work be recorded so it is at best onmly a guess at the actual number anyway. The point about demonstrating that most accidents happen away from the workplace should be used with the term 'it is believe that' rather than stating a positive fact.

There's a few things to bear in mind. One is that many working people spend more time at home than at work, even if half that tims is spent sleeping. Another is that the size of the population spending time at home is larger than the working population because it 'people at work' is a subset of 'people who spend time at home'. If we have 30 million workers then about 35 million people are at home and not at work, given that the total population is about 65 million.

And also, the population of people at home will include a much larger proportion of vulnerable people than the population of people at work. It will include all the nation's children, and all the pensioners. And I would guess at a strong positive correlation between e.g. trouser injuries and advancing age,

John

Graham: Cynics that we were, my old boss and I used to joke that we should seek to have working hours extended and holidays reduced because that way people would be safer. If you could stop them driving home as well, you'd provide even more protection! In fact, why not introduce slavery? Work is extremely safe and being at home is much more likely to injure you.

I think it's a powerful point to make. Employers do manage H&S at work very well, despite what many say.

I think you'd be suprised how many are not minor at all. Falls from ladders (and stairs!!!), injuries form lawn mowers and strimmers, injuries from power tools and other DIY related injuries.

Many minor but I think also many serious.