"Safer homes week" launched to protect elderly
Spokespeople available for interview on Friday 19th October: Phil Clarke from National Grid and Brendan Paddy from Age Concern
An astonishing number of elderly people are accidentally injured or killed in their own home every year. According to the most recent figures, 1,330 elderly citizens have an accident in the home every day and over the course of a year this equates to almost half a million accidents. And with the elderly population rising year-on -year this number could well increase if left unchecked.
As a result of these shocking figures, Age Concern and gas distribution business,s National Grid, are launching the first ever Safer Homes Week. The Week will highlight a range of home safety services available and provide practical advice and support to the elderly, their carers and friends in an attempt to dramatically reduce the significant number of accidents older people are having.
The Age Concern/National Grid Safer Homes Week focuses on the simple steps that can be taken around gas safety including the dangers of carbon monoxide, energy efficiency, home security including protection from bogus callers, accidents including fire and falls prevention, to help people stay warm and well at home. A fall at home could cost an older person their health, their confidence and independence; a carbon monoxide leak or a cold, badly insulated room could cost them their lives.
Simple measures can prevent the majority of accidents to the elderly and the Age Concern/National Grid Safer Homes Week is urging people to become more vigilant over such simple safety hazards as a faulty gas appliances, loose fitting carpet on the stairs, faulty electric blankets, tangled cables at the back of the TV or ill-fitting slippers, which are believed to be the biggest cause of falls in the home.
Safer Homes Week' is a £175k pilot initiative. The project was developed by Age Concern in partnership with National Grid, and is taking place between 22-26 October 2007.
For further information log on to: www.ageconcern.org.uk/saferhomes
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