Falls and Injury

With respect to Healthy Homes, Unintentional Injury can encompass many potential safety hazards including poisonings, such as from carbon monoxide or chemicals; falls; electricution; fires and burns. Unintentional injuries are the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S., and injuries in the home are the second leading cause of unintentional injuries.

According to the National Safety Council, in 2007, falls in the home and community caused or led to 20,600 deaths. While all age groups are vulnerable, older adults are most at risk for falls within the home. Particular attention should also be paid to children and their risk for falls from windows. Below we provide you with some links to important national resources for preventing injuries in the home. Also, see your state department of public health's webpage.

Resources
Take Action to Prevent Falls: A Home Environmental Assessment (Fall Prevention Center of Excellence)

Window Safety Checklist (National Safety Council)

Poisoning (Chemical)

According to the Centers for Disease Control, In 2005, 72% of poisoning deaths (from drug or chemical substances) in the United States were unintentional, In 2006, poison control centers reported about two million unintentional poisoning or poison exposure cases.

Preventions Tips for Chemicals and Carbon Monoxide (CDC)

Advocacy

June is National Safety Month. You can get media kits and other resource for disemination in your community from the National Safety Council. Additionally, April 5-11 is National Window Safety Week.

Fall Prevention Awareness Week - September 20 - 27, 2009 - Activities for Community Coalitions from the Fall Prevention Center of Excellence.