The latest home injury data from the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) has revealed that each week more than 11 New Zealanders will be fatally injured in their own homes.

The data, which was released today as part of Safety New Zealand Week 2009, shows that last year nearly half of all injuries happened in the home costing New Zealanders over $640 million. ACC General Manager of Injury Prevention Katie Sadleir said the statistics were sobering, and shows that the home isn't as safe a place as many people might think.

"More than 570 New Zealanders die as a result of injuries in the home every year. That's more than the number killed on our roads and nearly five times the number killed at work," Ms Sadleir said.

Ms Sadleir said that as well as having a significant impact on people's personal lives, home injuries are taking an enormous toll on New Zealand society. "Last year New Zealanders paid more than $640 million through the ACC scheme to treat, rehabilitate and support people injured in the home. The best way for us to bring down this massive cost is to focus on reducing the number of injuries New Zealanders have in the home in the first place."

"When one in seven Kiwis, or more than 650,000 people, are injured in home accidents each year, it's time for us all to take notice. We're urging New Zealanders to take some simple steps to make their homes safer places for themselves and their families."

Auckland City is the riskiest, with a rate of nearly one home injury for every three people last year. New Zealand's least accident-prone city is Invercargill, where just one in 15 is injured in the home each year.

"There are a number of explanations for why Auckland City might have highest rate of home accidents, such as the large number of apartment dwellers and the more densely built housing," Ms Sadleir said.

"This can mean more stairways and longer pathways leading in and out of homes. Also, urban areas like Auckland typically have fewer open areas for children to play in, meaning they often resort to driveways and concreted areas, both of which are common places for accidents to occur."

Ms Sadleir said that despite these regional variations in injury numbers, it's critical for all New Zealanders to pay attention to the dangers that exist in their homes. "The smallest accidents can really have a major impact on people's lives. Slips, trips and falls around the home are the most common type of home accidents and can sometimes have life long effects, everything from broken limbs to paralysis.

"These injuries can often be avoided, and simple steps can make a big difference. Wearing shoes or slippers around the house, for example, instead of socks, can dramatically reduce your chance of slipping on wooden floors, tiles and lino, and installing light switches at the top and bottom of stairs makes staircases much safer."

Safety New Zealand Week 2009 runs from 7-13 September. More information is available at www.homesafety.co.nz

Home injury facts:

-A New Zealander is injured in the home every 48 seconds

-573 New Zealanders were killed from home injuries last year, compared to 360 killed in car crashes

-Slips, trips and falls make up nearly half of all home accidents

-More than 650,000 New Zealanders are injured at home each year - compared to around 36,000 on the road, 280,000 on the sports field and 210,000 at work -More than 30,000 injuries occur each year on stairs or steps

-40% of New Zealand households have dangerously hot water

-There is a house fire in New Zealand every three hours -4,000 home injuries are caused by people falling off ladders each year

-80,000 injuries a year are caused by people falling on drives, paths and patios.