Home Accident Statistics UK: Injuries, Falls and Costs (2026)

How many recorded accidents happen at home?

RoSPA’s 2026 review identifies 323,173 accidents leading to a hospital diagnosis recorded as occurring at home in England in 2023/24. The home accounted for 40% of diagnosed non-transport accidents in that analysis.

Hospital data describe the injuries reaching recorded care. They exclude many minor accidents managed at home, and some hospital records have a missing or unspecified location. The figures count diagnosed accidents rather than unique people.

Falls and heat-related injuries at home

51% of diagnosed falls were recorded as occurring at home. For injuries involving heat or hot substances, the home share was 65%. These percentages identify the home’s contribution within each injury category.

Location and cause provide complementary information: a fall describes how an injury happened, while the home describes where it happened. Keeping both makes the findings useful for identifying household safety priorities.

The wider UK accident picture

Across all settings, RoSPA’s review reports 23,270 accidental deaths in the UK in 2023 and an estimated 896,723 accident-related hospital admissions in 2023/24. Falls accounted for 48% of accidental deaths across all settings.

The UK accidental-death rate per head rose by 8% between 2022 and 2023. These national figures provide the wider context; the home-specific findings above identify the part attributed to a recorded home location.

What accident treatment costs the NHS

RoSPA’s economic appendix estimates £5.4 billion in UK NHS bed-day costs for accidents across all settings. The calculation uses England’s 2022/23 accident admissions, a 2020/21 average cost per day and population scaling to the UK.

This is a modelled treatment-cost measure. A home-only cost estimate would require activity and costing specifically linked to accidents occurring at home.

Practical priorities for home safety

NHS falls guidance highlights reducing trip hazards, improving lighting and seeking help for balance or mobility difficulties. Strength and balance activity and a review of relevant medicines can also form part of prevention.

Carbon monoxide prevention includes suitable alarms, maintained fuel-burning appliances and ventilation. Barbecues and camping stoves should stay outside. If carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected, go outside and seek medical advice promptly. Alarm requirements depend on the nation and housing circumstances.

Frequently asked questions

How many accidents happen at home?

RoSPA reports 323,173 hospital-diagnosed accidents recorded at home in England in 2023/24. This covers hospital-recorded diagnoses, rather than every household accident.

What proportion of recorded falls happen at home?

In the England 2023/24 analysis, 51% of diagnosed falls were recorded as occurring at home.

Does the £5.4 billion figure cover home accidents only?

The £5.4 billion estimate covers UK NHS bed-day costs for accidents across all settings, using 2022/23 activity and earlier unit costs.