Domestic accidents are an issue of particular public health interest, as they are associated with disability, suffering and reduced productivity, among other problems. A leading cause of morbidity and mortality in most industrialized countries, domestic accidents affect all age groups and, according to the World Health Organization, are the primary cause of death among children. The social dimension of the problem should not be underestimated and is linked to the psychological impact that these accidents may have on their victims, who usually consider their home as the safest place to be.
What is a domestic accident?
In its multi-purpose surveys, Italy’s National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) defines domestic accidents as accidents that:
- Result in temporary or permanent impairment of health, due to injuries of various sorts
- Occur independently of human will
- Occur in a home or its immediate surroundings (e.g. balconies, garden, garage, cellar, staircase).