Safety barometer 2024: number of falls on the rise
2100 people die every year in accidents at home and during leisure time, particularly as a result of falls and suffocation. The new BFU Home and Leisure Safety Barometer helps to identify accident blackspots and to start prevention in the right places.
In the last ten years, the number of fatal non-occupational accidents outside of road traffic and sport has risen by an average of 31 people per year to 2100. Fatal accidents at home and during leisure time now account for 85 % of all fatal non-occupational accidents.
In particular, the number of fatal falls (+20 per year) has risen during this period. At 1700 cases per year, they account for by far the largest proportion of fatal non-occupational accidents. The steady increase in fatal fall accidents is
This is due to the fact that more and more very old people (85+) are suffering serious falls. It can be assumed that this trend will continue, as their share of the population continues to increase due to demographic change.
Many serious falls occur within your own four walls. Every year, 7000 people have serious accidents due to falls in their own homes. That is more than a third of all leisure accidents outside of sport and road traffic. All age groups are affected.
In addition, an average of 135 people die each year from choking accidents (+ 3 per year).
14 children under the age of 17 die every year in an accident in the home and leisure sector. This figure has remained stable over the last 10 years. The number of deaths in the very old population aged 85 and over is increasing. Every year, 34 more people in the highest age category die as a result of a home and leisure accident. Among older adults aged between 65 and 84, the number of fatal accidents is falling slightly.
Source: AAIB
