Accidents

By supporting households to identify and remove the cause or reduce exposure to the cause, the risks of unintentional injuries and premature, preventable deaths in the home amongst vulnerable populations (i.e. families with children under the age of 5 years and older people aged 65+), is reduced.

The Public Health Agency works in partnership with local councils, Group Environmental Health Structures and Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to reduce the environmental risk factors in the home by delivering a Home Safety Check Scheme, with the elderly being one of the main groups targeted. The checks are delivered by Home Safety Officers who have completed City and Guilds Home Safety Training delivered by RoSPA.

The Home Safety Officers, based with local councils, provide free home safety checks which include a room by room inspection of the home, the issue of relevant safety equipment on a need assessed basis and tailored advice on accident prevention.  The scheme takes self-referrals and referrals from health and social care professionals and community groups. The officers also make onward referrals to health and social care, Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS), Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) and voluntary and community organisations.

Others areas of work undertaken include awareness raising with community groups and schools, electric blanket testing and slipper amnesties.

For further information:

Useful websites:

Local council websites