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Around one million children are badly injured every year in accidents at home and many of the accidents are easily preventable.

Read our facts about accidents at home and some advice on how to prevent them...

The facts

• More accidents happen at home than anywhere else.

• 2.7 million people go to hospital a year after home accidents. About a million are children, half of whom are under five.

• 4,000 people a year die in home accidents, including 120 children under 14.

• At least 43 per cent of accidental injury in the home involves a fall. Around 10 children die every year after plunging from windows or stairs. The worst injuries are when a child falls from a height onto something hard, sharp or hot.

• In 2002, 12,300 people were admitted to hospital after falling on wooden floors compared with 2,900 five years earlier.

• Other common accidents include burns, poisoning and bumping into objects like doors and tables.

• More than 36,000 children receive treatment for poisoning or suspected poisoning incidents annually

Why do they happen

Inquisitiveness - Very young children have boundless curiosity and no sense of danger. A lethal combination
Inadequate supervision - Never leave a small child in the bath for even a couple of minutes while you answer the door,' says Roger Vincent of RoSPA. 'You could be delayed which could lead to disaster.'
Horseplay and bravado is another cause. Boys are most likely to have accidents perhaps because they're more prone to showing off and over-reaching their abilities when playing with friends.

Read on: Video advice on child safety

Where next?

- Get advice on first aid and dealing with accidents
- Spring clean your medicine cabinet
- Top tips for keeping your kids safe on the internet
- Keeping them safe on the streets

• Next: Child safety video advice

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