Accidents and injuries

Simple everyday tasks such as crossing the road, preparing a meal or DIY can result in an accident and almost everyone has suffered one at some time or other. Our tips and advice will help reduce your risk of having an accident or injury in all areas of your life - at work, in the home, on roads, in schools and at play.

 

Preventing accidents - Facts and Figures

  • Every year in Wales some 1,100 people die and more than 400,000 attend accident and emergency centres as a result of accidents.
  • Accidental injury is the most common cause of death in children over one year old.
  • 95% of accidents are preventable.
  • There are huge emotional costs; even minor accidents can result in long-term psychological problems.
  • Accidents can mean significant financial costs to the individual and the NHS. Hip fracture is the most common serious injury related to falls in older people and costs Health and Social Services in Wales £84 million each year.
  • Current statistics show disadvantaged communities have more accidents. We aim to raise awareness to ensure everybody has the knowledge to prevent an accident.

Go to the Health Challenge Wales website for tips and advice to help you reduce the risk of accident or injury.

 

Caerphilly Pupil’s learn about safety!

The Crucial Crew awareness raising programme, which was organised and delivered by Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Environmental Health/Health Improvement team, was held in the “Safety Zone” in Trefforest during January & February.

The aim of the programme is to educate children aged 10 and 11 on how to keep themselves safe by tackling the everyday dangers they may encounter.
Year 6 pupils from all of the county borough’s primary schools attended for either a morning or afternoon session, broken down into 10x10 minute practical sessions covering safety around electricity sub-stations, underage drinking and anti-social behaviour, road safety, substance awareness, fire safety messages, first aid, underage sales and recycling issues.
The event promotes safety in our communities. It teaches children who are about to move on to secondary school how to keep safe whilst out playing, how to spot danger and how to react when something goes wrong.
It also encourages crime prevention and raises awareness about issues and consequences of bad behaviour in the community.

Organisations involved in the programme included:

  • Western Power – highlighting the dangers of playing near power sub stations
  • Red Cross – offering basic first aid training
  • South Wales Fire and Rescue Service – educating on how to prevent a fire, and what to do in the event of a fire
  • Forestry Commission – safety in the countryside
  • Gwent Police – internet safety
  • Council’s Road Safety team – raising awareness of road safety issues
  • Council’s Building Services – highlighting construction site dangers
  • Councils Trading Standards – information on the legal ages to buy certain products
  • Drugaid – offering information on the dangers of drugs and alcohol
  • Food Standard Agency – raising awareness of food saftey

Cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Lyn Ackerman said, “Attending a Crucial Crew workshop is a great opportunity for Year 6 pupils across the county borough to learn about how to be safe and how to take care of themselves and those around them. I am sure that this will be a worthwhile and enjoyable experience for all involved.”

Sergeant Robert Davies said, “Crucial Crew is a great way for school pupils to heighten awareness of their personal safety. Gwent Police’s School Liaison Officers play an active role in teaching local pupils about safety issues, and the annual Crucial Crew event is a great way of bringing to life these issues through interactive workshops to help further their learning.”

All primary schools in the borough will automatically be invited to attend this event next year.
If you would like more information about Crucial Crew, please telephone the Health Improvement Team on 01495 235401.