[Prevention of household accidents]

A study carried out by the Basic Health Area (ABS) in the neighborhood known as Nord Raval in Barcelona focused on the detection of household risk factors on patients cared for by this health center. This project received a grant from the Health Investigation Fund (FIS) in 1996, file number 96/0820. This project has three parts spread out over a three-year period. This first part, which has now been finished, consisted of a survey of neighborhood residents over 65 years old to determine if accident risk factors exist in their homes. This survey provided proof that potential accident risk factors do indeed exist in neighborhood homes and furthermore, many of these may have a simple solution such as removing rugs or other objects which obstruct passageways or moving heaters a few centimeters back from inflammable materials. Housecalls by nurses are a fundamental element in reducing these accident risk factors.