9 June 2004

The Killing Fields of Home

Archicentre, the Royal Australian Institute of Architects home advisory service, today called for both major political parties to put home safety on the public agenda describing the family home as a "Killing Field".

Each year in Australia around 300 children are killed and 60,000 are hospitalized with most injuries occurring in the home. Source: Kidsafe

Mr Robert Caulfield, Managing Director of Archicentre said the organisation today will launch a special project with Frankston City Council to build a Kidsafe House to showcase the designing of safety into new homes through a web based communication plan.

The $800,000 project also includes an environmental home and will be launched this morning by the Victorian Minister for Planning, the Hon. Mary Delahunty.

Mr Caulfield said, "The continuing incidences of people being trapped in fires by deadlocked doors needed to be nationally collated by state coroners and reported to the general community in a special program to identify the extent of the issue."

A recent apartment fire

"We would call on all people to be vigilant and insist that safety audits be done on their homes to protect not only children but all members of the family."

Through Archicentre's pre-purchase home inspections we are constantly coming across safety issues in the home including:
* Blackened power points overloaded with several power leads across rooms.
* Power leads and heaters in bathrooms near the bath and shower.
* Rugs on highly polished floors creating a falls hazard.
* Deadlocks and security grills, which would block escape in an emergency.
* Highly glazed tiles on kitchen and bathroom floors.
* Poorly maintained outside steps with slippery surfaces without handrails
* Hallways and rooms cluttered with papers near gas heaters creating a fire hazard.
* Dangerous old wiring in need of repair.
* Poor interior and exterior lighting creating dangerous falls hazards.
* Extension leads trailing across lawns to outside sheds.
* Newspapers being stuffed into roof space as insulation.
* Bricks holding down loose roof sheeting.
* Sewer pipes discharging straight onto the ground.

More detailed information on safety checks and information of action to take can be found on the Internet at www.archicentre.com.au or www.kidsafe.com.au

Media Enquiries:
Robert Caulfield Managing Director Archicentre (03) 9819 4577 Mobile: 0412 381 306
Ron Smith Corporate Media Communications (03) 9818 5700 Mobile: 0417 329 201