Greater need for safety in the home

OUR VIEW
Shocking figures released by ACC this week showing Tauranga as the third most dangerous city in New Zealand for accidents in the home should serve as a timely warning of the need to keep ourselves safe, even when in our private residences.
Accidents in the home killed 22 people in Tauranga last year and injured almost 25,000 people.
In the Western Bay of Plenty District Council area, an additional 2700 people were injured, although there were no deaths.
We're not alone in this - statistics show that, nationally, one in seven people were injured in their homes last year, a total of 632,920.
The figures were released as part of the launch of Safety NZ Week and Tauranga's position as the country's third most dangerous city, behind Auckland and Napier, is cause for serious concern.
The issue is one which, for the most part, has a low profile.
Last year, 621 people died from accidents in the home. It's a stark contrast to the 384 people killed on our nation's roads over the same time period, yet the road toll receives far more attention.
The statistics are startling but on greater examination, it's perhaps possible to see how this has come about.
It's easy for people to become complacent in the presumed safety of their own home.
Away from the stress and rigours of the working day, we let our guard down and relax, perhaps putting us at greater risk of an accidental trip, slip or fall.
It's incumbent upon each individual to do their best to ensure accidents, which can cause serious injury or even death, are avoided, be that through taking greater caution when moving around the home, or ensuring that potential risks in the home environment are negated - that can be as simple as ensuring rugs are lying flat on floors, or turning on the lights before moving into a darkened area at night.
The responsibility is even greater for parents.
It's one thing to allow lax safety standards in the home to put ourselves at risk but when there's children involved, the need for vigilance is even more important.
Sometimes, despite the best of intentions, it just can't be helped - we've all slipped or stumbled at one time or another and, of course, no one goes out to deliberately hurt themselves.
But sometimes, it is avoidable - conservative ACC estimates attribute alcohol as having played a part in nearly a quarter of all injury claims.
This country's "booze culture" has already been well documented and the Government is taking steps to try to curb the impact of alcohol on our young people.
The fire service regularly pushes the "don't drink and fry" message and, while no one is advocating that people shouldn't have a drink in the privacy of their own home, there's no doubt that overindulging increases the risk of a potentially serious accident - and surely that's enough of a reason for Bay residents to knock the booze on the head, rather than themselves.