Matt was delighted when he landed his dream job as a football coach. He got to do what he loved every day. Life was good until, one day, he fell down the stairs and everything changed. Matt seriously hurt his back in the fall and now struggles to stand for any length of time. As a result, he needs regular physio and hasn’t been able to work since the accident. Managing the pain and being unable to do the job he loves is hard enough but his situation is made worse by the fact he is now constantly worrying about how he’s going to make ends meet.

Unfortunately, Matt’s experience isn’t as uncommon as you might think. Home may be where the heart is but it’s also where you’re most likely to have an accident, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa).

Figures from Rospa show children under the age of five and those over the age of 65 are at the highest risk of having an accident at home, with falls being the most common type of mishap. To give you an idea of the extent of the problem, the annual cost of home accidents in the UK is a staggering £45.63 billion. More mishaps happen in the lounge than any other room and, tragically, there are around 6,000 deaths every year in the UK as a result of accidents at home.

Preventing accidents in the home

Although you can’t remove the risk of accidents in the home altogether, there are some sensible precautions you can take. For example, if you’re trying to reach something high up, don’t use a chair; it’s always better to use a stable step-stool. It’s also worth bearing in mind that a lot of accidents happen when we’re rushing so, no matter how busy you are, try to take your time.

There are also steps you can take to provide a little more financial security if you’re ever unlucky enough to find yourself in Matt’s position.

Accident protection

Accident protection can provide a cash lump sum to help you and/or your family should you have a similar experience to Matt, meaning at least you won’t have to worry about your finances. It can provide cover for:

• Broken bones
• Hospitalisation due to either an accident or sickness
• Permanent injuries
• Permanent disablement
• Death

A professional adviser will be able to help you find the most suitable policy for your needs. If you’d like to talk about accident protection for you and your family, we’ll be happy to help.

Key takeaways:

• You’re more likely to have an accident at home than anywhere else.
• Falls are the most common type of accident in the home – reduce your risk by using a stable step-stool to access hard-to-reach areas, and taking your time when carrying out chores around the house.
• Accident protection can provide a lump sum to help with the expenses you may face in the event of a mishap in the home – speak to an adviser to find the most suitable policy for you.