Do you know which accidents kill seven times more than the road each year? These are everyday accidents. Falls, poisoning, suffocation.
franceinfo: Geraldine Zamansky, you are a journalist for the Health Magazine on France 5, and you have explored for us a very sad picture of the mortality caused by these accidents?
Geraldine Zamansky: Indeed the weekly epidemiological bulletin of Public Health France shows that during the decade preceding the health crisis and the confinements, there was an increase in the number of deaths caused by these “accidents of everyday life”.
These are those that occur at home, at school, or during leisure time. But neither in the car, in the street or at work. The finding is therefore quite shocking. As you said, the danger is much greater in our own home than we imagine. Because first there is a risk of a fatal fall. It is the first cause of this “domestic” mortality, if I may say so.
And here, it is primarily the elderly who are concerned?
Exactly, those over 85 represent almost 2/3 of fatal fall victims. However, there are ways to prevent them. By fitting out the home, for example, with the ramp break or the improvement of the bathroom. There are specialized services and financial aids, even if you are a homeowner.
And of course, we must also try to stay, as much as possible, “solid on your legs”. Walking for about 30 minutes every day is excellent for keeping your muscles and your balance. Even if it means adopting a cane or a walker and having the support of a physiotherapist. He can also teach you tips for getting up and calling for help.
The other big threat are suffocation accidents, breathing is blocked?
And yes, they still concern older people with the “wrong path” when food goes into the airways. To limit this risk, it is better to use small pieces that no longer completely prevent the passage of air. And chew them well with good teeth, thanks to 100% health fully reimbursed for example. But beware, babies under one year old also risk choking on swallowing anything!
In fact, everyday accidents affect all ages with different threats depending on the generation. At 30-40 years of age, it is intoxication, especially because of poorly dosed drugs. Finally, there have recently been alerts on the risks of excess paracetamol. But no tablet is harmless. So, it is up to us to play, better informed, to avoid the more than 20,000 annual deaths in the accidents of everyday life.
Links to very practical prevention sites
Home help for the elderly
Adapted physical activity
For children under 3: a site with extremely practical advice on all sources of danger