Late spring cleaning landed a man in hospital with neck, shoulder and chest injuries, after he fell from his roof in Waipukurau yesterday. The 73 year old is in a serious but stable condition at Hawke's Bay Hospital.
It was thought he was waterblasting his roof to clear the spouting when
he fell.
Ambulance crew took him to Waipukurau Medical Centre. From there, the Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter flew him to the regional hospital.
The incident is a timely reminder of the dangers around the home, as people prepare for the summer entertaining season.
Last year in the Hawke's Bay district, there were more than 2000 injuries in the home, costing ACC almost $18 million. Twenty-one of these injuries were fatal.
ACC statistics released in August showed that the home is the most common place for New Zealanders to be injured.
It is more common to be injured at home than on the road or during sport or recreational activities.
One in seven New Zealanders will be injured in their homes each year.
On average, 36,000 people require hospitalisation from injuries sustained in the home every year, and many of these injuries have serious, life-altering consequences.
This year's figures confirm that injuries in the home are much more prevalent and more serious than most New Zealanders believe, said Katie Sadleir, ACC's General Manager, Injury Prevention.
