Region's injuries cost $10m

Injuries from animal bites and assaults in Wairarapa cost nearly $900,000 each year.

ACC figures show more than 1500 claims relating to these injuries were lodged across the region last year.

In total, injuries in the Wairarapa cost taxpayers about $10 million last year. The costs covered almost 15,000 claims, nearly one-third of which related to people falling over.

But while fall-related injuries amount to a significant cost for the region - claims from the Masterton district alone tallied over $1.5 million - Wairarapa is still below the national average. Across New Zealand falls make up about 40 per cent of all ACC claims.

This week is national Safety Week, and ACC is campaigning to reduce the injury tally. ACC general manager, insurance and prevention services, John Beaglehole, said the cost of all injuries nationwide was about $10.4 billion each year.

"This includes the social and economic cost.

"It's easy to lose sight of the fact that if someone is seriously injured, that's a massive impact not only on them but also on their family."

About 1.5 million new injury claims were lodged with ACC annually, Mr Beaglehole said. "About 1800 people die from injuries every year and about 8500 people are seriously injured."

Mr Beaglehole warned that Kiwis needed a more serious approach to safe-proofing their homes and workplaces. "New Zealanders have a tendency of 'she'll be right, we'll do it this way', and initiative and drive are great things.

"But there are some simple things we can all do to make ourselves safer."

More than 280,000 claims relating to falls in homes were made to ACC last year. Mr Beaglehole said of these claims, 2500 related to people in the 25 to 64 age group who took at least three months off work.

"If you're off work for three months, that's a really significant injury.

"But, if you go from being someone who takes the bus to work to someone who needs a wheelchair to get around - that's an enormous change to how you operate ... and how your family operates and the amount of support and care you need."

ACC has also launched a campaign promoting simple tips to make homes safer. These include securing power cords, fastening rugs and mats and wiping up spills.

WHO violence and injury prevention director Dr Etienne Krug said injuries caused ongoing problems for people, families and communities.

"The cost is huge, particularly because injuries kill and maim mainly young people.

"So in a family, when a breadwinner or young father or young mother is either killed or severely disabled, particularly in low and middle-income families, the salary is lost and the entire family is thrown into poverty."