DANGER HOUSE

Don't underestimate the chances of seriously injuring yourself in your own home

More than two and a half million people are admitted to accident and emergency departments in the UK every year because of incidents in their own home with four thousand of them actually dying. So while you may feel safe statistically your house is one of the most dangerous places to be. But a new survey shows with a bit more awareness; those risks could be significantly reduced.

Some foolhardy types dice with danger by having potentially fatal electrical devices plugged in near their bath, and everyone knows someone who has a habit of leaving on things like ovens, irons, candles and heaters... or who even regularly forget to put out their cigarette before they go to bed. And despite regular warnings in the media about the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, nearly half of people surveyed couldn't spot the signs of a faulty boiler, with a similar figure revealing they don't even bother getting it serviced annually.

RoSPA spokesperson Kairen Sanderson said: "We assume that our homes are the safest places to be yet more accidents happen at home than anywhere else. Even if you buy a ticket every week in a year you are twenty times more likely to suffer a fatal home accident that you are to win the National Lottery!"

National Grid's study also found that nearly a fifth of people overload their plug sockets, and alarmingly less than 1% of people knew to call the National Gas Service Emergency hotline if they smelt gas in their home. Most respondents admitted they would be far more likely to ring the council, the gas supplier, a plumber and even the fire brigade.

By taking action now the following safety advice will ensure you can feel safe at home:

If you smell gas call the National Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 111 999

Avoid trips, slips and falls by ensuring halls and stairways are always well lit and free from clutter

Reduce the likelihood of household fires and carbon monoxide poisoning from faulty flues or equipment by having gas, oil or solid fuel heating appliances professionally serviced once a year

Reduce trips, slips and falls by cleaning up spills quickly

Change light bulbs safely, without the risk of falling by using a stable step-stool. Avoid using old chairs to climb on

Stay safe from fire by testing smoke alarms weekly and be sure all the family know how to escape in the event of a fire

Avoid fire risks by using guards with all fires and heaters and keep clothing, furniture and curtains away from all heat sources, including candles

Reduce the risk of electrical fires and electrocution by never using appliances with cracked plugs or worn cables

Avoid overloading electric sockets with too many appliances

Don't risk electrocution by taking electrical appliances into the bathroom. Water is a good conductor of electricity so you should never touch electrical appliances with wet hands

Avoid burns and scalds by always using the back rings on a cooker or hotplate first, and position pan handles so that they can't be pulled over. Keep hot drinks out of reach of children

Avoid bath time scalds (especially to children) by running the cold water first and carefully testing the water temperature with your elbow. Children should never be left unattended

Poisoning or chemical burns can be prevented by storing medicines and household chemicals out of sight and out of reach of children, preferably in a secure, high-level kitchen cupboard.

National - 4% admit to having an electrical device plugged in near their bath or shower 57% admit to having mistakenly left on their oven, a hot plate, heater, iron or hair straighteners, or failed to extinguish candles, cigarettes or cigars 29% have an audible Carbon Monoxide alarm fitted in their home 43% do not get their boiler serviced annually by a CORGI registered engineer No more than 60% of people recognise any of the four key signs of a faulty boiler 19% of people overload electricity sockets in their home 37% of people admit to having slipped in the bath.