Environment \ Environmental Health \ Home Safety

In Northern Ireland every year, over 70 people die in home accidents and almost 70,000 visit their local Accident and Emergency departments seeking help.

To reduce these incidents the Council is working in partnership with other agencies to provide free home safety checks to people over 65 and parents with children under the age of five.

The home safety check is carried out in a friendly and informal manner and is designed to increase awareness of potential hazards in your home, which may lead to an accident.

The service is completely free and totally confidential. In certain circumstances officers may be able to provide safety equipment or may contact other agencies on your behalf to address specific safety issues.

For further information on the scheme contact the ome Safety Officer on 028 3031 3104 or email homesafetyofficer@newryandmourne.gov.uk or mobile 07974723765

Home Accident Prevention is a voluntary network that aims to prevent all kinds of accidents, which occur in and around our homes. The local Newry and Mourne HAP group consists of a range of agencies including Environmental Health, Health Promotion, Fire & Rescue Service, PSNI, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Community Health, Northern Ireland Tenants Action Project (NITAP), Sure Start, DELTA and local community associations.

HAP focus on the most vulnerable age groups particularly young children and older people. The main aim of the group is to look at the major causes of home accidents and organize local safety campaigns to help save lives and prevent injuries. The HAP group is available to provide support through local talks, safety events and information leaflets. For further information and advice on Home Safety or to find out more about Newry and Mourne HAP Group please contact:

Environmental Health Department TEL 028 3031 3100

Useful links:

www.rospa.com

www.capt.org.uk

www.helptheaged.org.uk