May 2, 2025, 12:58 pm | Read time: 3 minutes

Your own four walls are a place of retreat and safety. However, they can also become a deadly trap, as most accidents occur at home.

The Actual Number Might Be Even Higher

According to German insurance companies, the number of accidents might be even higher. To appear in the statistics, an accident must result in an injury requiring treatment or a medical leave. However, many minor injuries, such as cuts from tools or knives, are treated by the individuals themselves. “Put a bandage on and carry on”: These minor accidents leave no trace in the statistics.

The Most Common Types of Household Accidents

Insurance companies have also analyzed the causes of accidents, revealing a clear order:

• Falls account for 60 percent of household accidents. Typical examples include slipping on wet floors, tripping over objects, and falling down stairs, which can cause particularly severe injuries.
• Stab and cut injuries rank second at 15 percent, often resulting from handling sharp knives or kitchen utensils. Broken glass also frequently causes such injuries.
• Burns and scalds make up 10 percent of all accidents, often caused by boiling water, hot oil, and improper handling of fire.

Poisonings from medications or chemicals and choking incidents (such as from swallowing objects by young children) are also statistically significant.

Differences Between Genders

A deeper look into the statistics also reveals differences between age groups and genders. It is less surprising that children under five are particularly at risk from poisonings, burns, and choking incidents. Curiosity and a lack of awareness of danger play a crucial role here.

Among adults, men are more likely to suffer serious accidents during manual work or when handling technical devices. Women, on the other hand, statistically injure themselves more often during household chores, especially in the kitchen or while cleaning. Thus, the “typical” gender roles seem not to have been overcome yet.

Tips to Prevent Household Accidents

Many accidents can be avoided with a few precautions and changes in habits.

Preventing Falls

• Secure carpet edges or runners.
• When cleaning windows, avoid standing on the windowsill.
• Only walk on freshly mopped floors once they are dry.
• Use a stable ladder instead of a chair to reach items beyond your reach.
• Do not lay cables across the floor.

Avoiding Accidents with Children

• Install safety gates on stairs and balconies.
• Never leave children unattended near open windows or balcony doors.
• Always store scissors and knives out of children’s reach.

Preventing Cuts and Burns

• Place knives with the tip down in the dishwasher’s cutlery basket.
• Also, place them with the handles facing forward.
• Use a non-slip surface when cutting.
• Always use the safety holder with vegetable slicers.
• Only clean electrical appliances like mixers after unplugging them.
• Turn pot, pan, and kettle handles inward.