Accident Epidemiology and the Design of the Residential Environment

Abstract

By its design, the housing which should be built in vast quantities in the near future can prevent accidents, minimize injury, and facilitate rehabilitation, both directly and indirectly. Studies are described which have examined relationships between housing and accident rates in general, and in particular, fires, pedestrian accidents, and accidental poisoning. Better design should reduce the harmful effects from these sources and from falls. Preventive measures have been or can be taken also against minor-accident epidemics involving glass doors, oil stoves, poisonous plants, and rat bites. There are many ways to make our residential environments safer.