Free home safety check

The service will be carried out by a home safety officer who can also offer advice and answer questions on home safety topics such as, preventing trips and falls, poisoning, burns, scalds, blind cord safety and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Free home safety equipment items may also be offered, subject to availability and eligibility.

This check will be a confidential visit, arranged at a convenient time.

It will involve a visual check of the home, which will help identify home safety risks.

The initiative is being carried out by the borough council in partnership with the Public Health Agency.

Health Minister Jim Wells revealed that two people die each week in Northern Ireland as a result of accidents that occur in their own homes.

Mr. Well was launching the Home Accident Prevention Strategy for Northern Ireland, which aims to reduce the number of unintentional injuries and deaths caused by home accidents.

All householders are being encouraged to take a look around their home and check for potential areas of danger.

This could include looking for tripping hazards, testing your smoke alarm, ensuring fires and heaters are well guarded, securing blind cords and keeping cleaning products out of the reach of young children.

The service is being offered in association with Antrim Borough Council.

To request a free check, or to find out more about this confidential service, please contact the home safety officers at either Antrim Borough Council by emailing [email protected] or telephoning 028 9446 3113, or Newtownabbey Borough Council by emailing [email protected] or telephoning 028 9034 0160.

For more information on safety at home, please visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/safety-at-home