Housing and home safety

Incentives for action to prevent childhood accidents

NICE guidance: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence published new guidance aimed at reducing unintentional injuries to under-15s. Unintentional injuries cause almost 400 deaths per year in the UK, and thousands more serious injuries. Emergency admissions due to childhood accidents cost the NHS over £140 million per year. The NICE guidance aimed at tackling these problems has been welcomed by all those working to prevent unintentional injury to children. Read more on the NICE guidance in the news section.

• The 'Decent Homes' programme - the guidelines about what constitutes a 'decent home' include health and safety considerations.

To protect residents from accidents, hazards are identified through the Housing Health and Safety Rating System.

• Building Regulations also provide key drivers for safety. For example, part G of the Building Regulations, updated in 2010, refers to bath water scald prevention.

Home safety equipment: This can be fitted through home safety equipment schemes. Care and repair agencies and fire services also have a part to play in home safety. Many fire services offer home fire risk assessments, and distribute free smoke alarms.

Carbon monoxide poisoning: Advice and information is issued by DH to local practitioners and by Gas Safe Register.