Welsh Health Planning Forum. All those involved in the construction of houses can improve home safety by considering safety as a major requirement in all aspects of house design. The impact of such interventions is untested i . Practical design guidelines for commissioning agencies, architects designers and builders . Literature searches completed 12.2.98 Top 11.1f .
Agencies working together can improve home safety.
Publicity campaigns based on education alone are unlikely to be effective i,ii . Home assessment and surveillance by a variety of professionals and non-professionals can, however, reduce falls in elderly people iii,iv . This effect is likely to be enhanced by free or subsidised, simple home safety modifications v . Home visiting programmes by professionals and non-professionals can also significantly reduce rates of childhood injury vi . Targeted childhood initiatives appear to be more effective, especially if supported by free or subsidised home safety equipment schemes vii,v ii i .