CONCLUSION

Everywhere around the world, different places have got different issues of home safety. Different kinds of housing have different types of home accidents. Landed properties have issues of falling down of stairs, high rise buildings have issues of falling off windows, and different countries have different risk of hazard as well. Some housing are more prone to fire, some are more prone to electrical shocks due to bad quality power points. Falls are common in all countries but there are factors behind the reason for falls that can cause the different numbers in statistics. Some countries have got a higher number of healthy people which also means less falls, some countries have got more landed properties with two or more stories which will have a higher risk of falling down of stairs compared to countries with not many of such buildings. Some countries have got hazardous chemicals that are rarely found in other countries, for example lead in paints is not common in Singapore but is common in countries like USA and UK. 

However, there are some common preventive measures that most countries can do. Taking the statistics that we have from UK and the result from the surveys in Singapore, some common preventive measures include kitchen safety, hand support for the elderly in the bathroom and toilet safety.

Home accidents are real and it happens everywhere around the world. Though the types of home accidents can vary, all accidents can be dangerous. Everyone should understand the importance of keeping the home safe.  We must practice the relevant methods in keeping our home safe because no matter where you live a person’s live is always precious.

Results shown that in the UK, there are multiple factors for falls. This includes the lack of mobility and balance of the elderly as their physical muscle degenerates through the passing of times. Nutritional deficiency is can also affect the elderly as their bones can be more fragile without sufficient intake of calcium. To counter such problems, the UK government have come up with an annual scheme called the National Falls Awareness Day. Its aim is to increase the awareness of falling in older age and to improve the lives of future generations. This indeed has impacted many elderly in the UK, keeping them active and healthy; at the same time, strengthening their muscles and increase their flexibility.

A research was done by Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University on the home safety of elderly in rental flats. The study has identified the common hazards found in the homes of the elderly staying in 1-room flats which can compromise safety and has also established the safest and most unsafe place in the home. To counter such falling cases, the Singapore government have sent people who are in charge of home safety measurement to help these poor people renovate their house to maximize the use of space and make it as safe as possible for these elderly.

From the results shown, both the UK and the Singapore government have played a part in their role to create a safe place for the elderly to live.