7600+ NZers were injured falling out of bed last year

More than 7,600 New Zealanders were injured falling out of bed last year.

Falls are the biggest cause of injuries in the home and the number of New Zealanders injured in their own home is more than those injured at work or on the road.

Last year, more than 261,000 New Zealanders were injured as a result of falling over or slipping in their own home. These injuries were serious enough to result in a visit to the doctor or require time off work and the cost of these was $272 million.

It's not just older and younger people who fall at home. People aged 25 to 64 years-old make up 41 percent of all home falls and account for 60 percent of the cost. There were also about 1,800 people in this age group who fell out of bed.

The statistics have been released by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) to coincide with the launch of Safety Week from Monday 15 August until Sunday 21 August. Throughout the week, ACC will be raising awareness of home safety and helping New Zealanders prevent slips, trips and falls around our homes.

"Falling out of bed may sound insignificant but 146 people are hurt every week as a result of these falls.

"An injury like this can seriously mess up your plans and we don't want New Zealanders to miss playing for their team at the weekend or miss watching the Rugby World Cup because they are laid up in a hospital bed with an injury," said ACC General Manager Insurance and Prevention Services Keith McLea.

For simple tips on how to make your home safer visit www.homesafety.co.nz

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