ABSTRACT
Home accidents are now a leading cause of death and injury, especially to young children and the elderly. For example, 3.2 million accidents occur in the home every year in the UK, with no sign of diminuation. More effective systems of accidejit recording, monitoring and investigation, together with enforcement, collaboration and education, are urgently needed to redress the current epidemic. More attention needs to be given to preventive safety design in professional training and adoption of home safety design standards and legislation. The major threat to public health which home accidents represent must not go unchallenged.
