14 Household Accident Statistics (2024 Update)
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Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.
Home is where the heart is, but it can also be where danger lurks. Below are some surprising statistics on accidents that occur in and around the house. Whether you’re at home or out of town, there are plenty of hazards to watch out for!
Click below to jump ahead:
- General Household Accident Statistics
- Age-Related Household Accident Statistics
- Household Accident Statistics by State
The 14 Household Accident Statistics
- Nearly 80% of deaths at home are preventable.
- 20% of all household falls result in serious injury.
- Less than 3% of household accidents are due to fire.
- Firearms cause less than 1% of household accidents.
- Adults between the ages of 25 and 44 make up 31.28% of all household accidents.
- The 45 to 64 age group accounts for 29.07% of home accidents.
- The 75+ age group accounts for the fewest accidental deaths at home at around 23%.
- The remaining ages to suffer harm at home account for a small percentage overall.
- COVID caused more household accidents than usual among adult age groups.
- For every 100,000 people in this state, there are 13.6 people who die from a drug overdose in West Virginia.
- Kentucky has the highest poisoning rate in America, with 0.08 cases per 100,000 residents.
- More than 17,000 people die from an accidental fall each year in Wisconsin.
- Hawaii has the most household drownings, with a rate of 3.5 deaths per 100,000 people.
- New Mexico has the highest rate of alcohol-related deaths at home, at a rate of 15 deaths per 100,000 people.
General Household Accident Statistics
1. Nearly 80% of deaths at home are preventable.
(National Safety Council)
Did you know that a staggering 78% of deaths at home are preventable? These include deaths from falls, fires, and choking. With a few simple precautions, you can help to keep your loved ones safe from these hazards.
As per reports, 113,500 lives could have been saved out of the 156,300 fatalities reported each year at home. It pays to play it safe. So, the next time you think it might be safer to take extra precautions, remember these statistics and be extra careful!
2. 20% of all household falls result in serious injury.
(A Secure Life)
According to reports, 20% of all household falls result in serious injury. These falls can happen anywhere—inside the home, at a friend’s house, or even outside in the yard. To prevent accidents like these from happening, it is important to be aware of your surroundings at all times and take extra care when moving around.
If you’re elderly, have children at home, or have pets that move around the house on their own, be sure to take extra precautions and watch for potential hazards.
3. Less than 3% of household accidents are due to fire.
(National Safety Council)
While the majority of us may be familiar with the dangers of fire, it’s actually quite rare that house fires occur. According to statistics from the National Fire Protection Association, less than 3% of all household accidents are due to fire. The actual percentage is only 2.26%.
While this number might seem low, it’s important to be vigilant about fire safety and take steps to prevent a potential fire from occurring. This includes having working smoke alarms and fire extinguishers on hand, as well as keeping flammable items such as candles or space heaters out of reach of pets and children.
4. Firearms cause less than 1% of household accidents.
(National Safety Council)
Contrary to popular belief, firearms only cause a small percentage of accidents in the home. In fact, firearms are responsible for less than 1 percent of all accidental deaths that occur at home each year.
That doesn’t mean you should be careless with firearms—they can still cause serious injuries if mishandled. If you own a gun, make sure to take the necessary precautions to keep yourself and your family safe.
When used properly, a firearm can save your life and the life of loved ones in the event of a home invasion or break-in.
Age-Related Household Accident Statistics
5. Adults between the ages of 25 and 44 make up 31.28% of all household accidents.
(Money Geek)
Another surprising household statistic relates to the age of people getting into the most accidents. Based on statistical data in the United States, adults aged 25 to 44 account for the greatest number of accidental fatalities to take place at home each year.
Surpassing all other age brackets, those in the 25 to 44 range make up 31.28% of home accidents resulting in death. Most of these accidents are preventable, as detailed in the previous section.
6. The 45 to 64 age group accounts for 29.07% of home accidents.
(Money Geek)
Although adults aged 25 to 44 make up the largest percentage of home accidents, those in the 45 to 64 age range aren’t far behind. In this study, the percentage of accidental deaths is just under 30% at 29.07%.
It’s important to note that the fatalities in all age groups don’t just apply to members of the household—they also include visitors and other guests, as well.
As such, it’s crucial to take extra precautions to ensure the safety of all those who enter your home. And in some cases, it’s even possible that uninvited or unwanted guests could suffer accidental harm.
7. The 75+ age group accounts for the fewest accidental deaths at home at around 23%.
(Money Geek)
Despite the many risks and hazards that can be found in and around the home, older adults still experience fewer accidents than their younger counterparts. According to this study, those aged 75 years or older make up just 23.35% of all home-related deaths each year.
While it’s always important to be vigilant about safety at home, it’s even more crucial as we get older. For example, you may need to take extra precautions when navigating stairs or using kitchen appliances and tools. And if you have young children or elderly loved ones in the house, be sure to keep a close watch on them at all times.
8. The remaining ages to suffer harm at home account for a small percentage overall.
(NEJM Group)
If you did the math, you’d see that the above three age groups only account for 83.7% of accidental deaths at home. So, who and what makes up the rest?
Research shows that those aged 0 to 18 comprise only a small percentage of accidental household fatalities. Suicide makes up 1.1%, while drug overdose accounts for most of the remaining deaths.
The most important thing to remember is that these statistics don’t have to be a cause for fear or anxiety. By taking steps to prevent accidents and keep your home safe, you can reduce your risk of harm and help protect those who enter your home.
And with vigilance and planning, it’s possible to enjoy a long and happy life in the comfort of your own home.
9. COVID caused more household accidents than usual among adult age groups.
(Injury Epidemiology)
Over the past two years, we have seen a significant increase in household accidents caused by COVID-19. Due to the ongoing pandemic, many adults are more likely than usual to suffer injuries at home from falls or other mishaps.
As this crisis continues and affects more people around the world, it’s crucial that we take extra measures to keep ourselves, our loved ones, and our homes safe.
Whether it’s by washing hands frequently, practicing social distancing, or simply taking a few extra precautions around the house, we can all do our part to reduce the risk of harm during this challenging time.
Household Accident Statistics by State
10. For every 100,000 people in this state, there are 13.6 people who die from a drug overdose in West Virginia.
(SafeWise)
West Virginia has the highest rate related to drug overdose. This raises the state’s level of concern for drug overdose to 13%, the highest of all 50 states.
West Virginia has long been known for having some of the worst drug problems in America. While there are many good people that live and work here, there is also a lot of poverty and dependence on opiate-based drugs, such as painkillers and heroin.
11. Kentucky has the highest poisoning rate in America, with 0.08 cases per 100,000 residents.
(SafeWise)
Kentucky’s high poisoning rate brings the state’s level of concern for poisoning to 23%. That’s significantly higher than second-leading Oklahoma, which has a poisoning rate of just 0.04 per 100,000 people, or 18% level of concern.
Some contributing factors to Kentucky’s high rate of poisonings include the availability of prescription painkillers, as well as the high number of alcohol-related accidents. Other contributing factors might include environmental exposure and unsafe rural living conditions.
12. More than 17,000 people die from an accidental fall each year in Wisconsin.
(SafeWise)
This number of deaths puts the state’s level of concern for fall-related accidents at 30%, the highest of any other state in America.
There are several factors contributing to Wisconsin’s high rate of accidental falls. For example, the state has a higher-than-average population of elderly citizens and people with disabilities, as well as cold weather, which can make it more dangerous to walk or drive outdoors.
Additionally, many older adults in Wisconsin live alone and are less likely to have help available in the case of an accident or fall.
13. Hawaii has the most household drownings, with a rate of 3.5 deaths per 100,000 people.
(World Life Expectancy)
According to World Life Expectancy, Hawaii has the highest amount of household drownings per capita in the U.S., with a rate of 3.5 deaths per 100,000 people. With its beautiful beaches, warm waters, and abundance of aquatic activities, it is no surprise that drowning is such a serious issue in this state.
However, authorities are working to raise awareness and prevent future drownings by promoting water safety at pools and beaches, as well as establishing state programs that teach kids how to swim.
(World Life Expectancy)
The staggering rate of alcohol-related deaths in the home may be due to a combination of factors, including easy access to alcohol and high rates of poverty, alcoholism, and domestic violence.
To help address this issue, many community groups and authorities are working to educate people about the dangers of excessive drinking. They are also investing in prevention and treatment programs to help individuals struggling with alcohol addiction.
Frequently Asked Questions About Household Accidents
How many household accidents happen each year?
There are about 47 million household accidents each year. These are the ones we hear about in the news, but there are far more accidents that go unreported and unnoticed.
What kinds of things should I watch out for around the house?
It’s important to be aware of potential dangers around your home, such as clutter on the floor or sharp objects that could cause falls, poisonous substances like cleaning supplies or medications that could be ingested accidentally, and choking hazards like food or toys.
How can I reduce my risk of household accidents?
The best way to reduce your risk of household accidents is to take steps to make your home safer and more secure. This might involve installing safety locks on cabinets, keeping poisonous substances safely stored away from children or pets, removing clutter from floors and stairways, and regularly updating smoke detectors or other safety equipment.
You may also want to consider enrolling in first aid or CPR classes so that you are prepared in the event of an emergency. With proper precautions and awareness, you can help reduce your risk of household accidents and keep your family safe.
Conclusion
Perhaps the most surprising thing about household accidents is that most of them can be prevented. All it takes is a little bit of awareness about the dangers that are around you. If you’re careful and vigilant, you stand a good chance of getting through your life without suffering from these accidents.
Featured Image Credit: wavebreakmedia, Shutterstock
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