Property owners have been warned that bad home layouts or inefficient design of windows, doors or other features can be dangerous for occupants.

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, three million hospital visits occur in the UK every year because of accidents that occur in the home.

Research published in the International Journal of Environment and Pollution claims that it may not be obvious things, such as electrical cables, that are the most common cause of accidents.

Lead researcher David Ormandy from the University of Warwick said that, while human behaviour can be a contributing factor, accidents are often caused by the design and condition of features around the home.

Mr Ormandy said: "We expect our homes to be a place of safety for us and our families, but injuries from home accidents and even deaths are a major, but underrated, public health problem and certainly an underrated housing problem."

The researchers said that homeowners can take steps to make their dwellings safer by improving the design of their windows and staircases or making safety modifications to other features.

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Author:  Joanne McCabe

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