Who is at risk?
All of us are constantly exposed to the risk of an accident, and therefore safety is the responsibility of everyone. The costs of accidents are high, for example, each year home accidents kill over 4000 people and at least three million people seek medical help. Time off work can lead to financial hardship. Physical and emotional suffering caused by an accident can cause a family great pain, uncertainty and grief. Many, in fact nearly all accidents, can be prevented by taking the right precautions or buying the right product.
How can you protect yourself?
The following organisations may be able to help you find out more about accident prevention:
Anti-bullying campaign - (abc)
To combat school bullying.
A UK Charity dedicated to provision of therapy programmes for the brain injured. Since its inception many hundreds of people (especially children) have derived often substantial benefit from the individual therapy programmes enabling them to lead a less dependent and more rewarding life.
Cares for vulnerable people everywhere to respond in the wake of major emergencies or disasters, such as train crashes or floods. Also provide a range of services to meet the personal emergencies of individuals.
The British Safety Council came into being following a debate in the House of Commons on June 7 1957. Since then it has grown to become the largest independent industrial safety body in the world. It trains 19,000 people a year in accident prevention techniques and safety management.
Child Accident Prevention Trust
A UK-wide organisation that aims to reduce the number and severity of childhood accidents. CAPT investigates all aspects of accident prevention and children's safety. Also publishes resources for parents and others who care for children.
A National Charity for the Support of Head Injured Children and their Families.
International Spinal Research Trust
Aims to fund research which will lead to a cure for paralysis caused by spinal cord injury.
Represents bereaved parents who have lost youngsters in road accidents. Lobbies for common-sense measures to make learning to drive a safer process and save other families from losing a beloved son or daughter.
Provides an information and advisory service catering for the needs of disabled people of all ages who have been born without upper or lower limbs or who have had amputations.
R.A.G.E. (Radiotherapy Action Group Exposure)
Support for people who have been physically damaged by radiotherapy.
Rehabilitation schemes and spinal injuries
Provides practical and emotional help to those newly bereaved and injured as a result of a road crash.
Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents
Lots of information on preventing accidents in the home, workplace and at leisure.
The national organisation for people paralysed by spinal cord injury.
The UK's leading authority on First Aid.
Trauma After-Care Trust (TACT)
Tact is a group helping people with "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder". PTSD can affect anyone - military, police and emergency services personnel or ordinary people involved in something as apparently mundane - to the outsider - as a road accident.
A National Referral Centre for Adults, Children & Families. Web site gives patient information about post traumatic stress.
For victims of crime. Victim Support provides: free and confidential independent help when you need it, emotional support, practical help, information about compensation, crime prevention and criminal justice procedures, help when attending court. (Also contact addresses for Victim Support England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland).
If you would like to recommend a suitable Internet link please e-mail the details to us.