Background: Man has been trying to have safe environment from time immemorial. Most of his time he is leading in the house because of availability of better comforts compared to his occupational environment. If the domestic environment is not safe he will be prone to
various types of accidents. The same domestic conditions are not suitable to all the age groups. Global domestic accidents are in the increasing trend and one of the important causes of higher
mortality. For prevention of domestic accidents, one should know the reasons for accidents. The present study is to know causes of domestic accidents in different age groups.
Materials and Methods: The present study is a longitudinal study conducted from 2004 to 2007 in Forensic Department of Gandhi Medical College. This is made on the dead bodies subjected
to postpartum examinations in the mortuary. A sample size of 100 subjects was taken through simple random method from reported cases due to domestic deaths. Data collected by using first information report, hospital records and postmortem examination report. Laboratory
support was obtained in ambiguous postpartum reports. The entry of data a format was designed with pretesting of adequate sample. Data analyzed using excel.
Result and Observations: In the present study 100 subjects were taken. Among the study subjects 59% are males and 41 females. 41% of domestic accidents are in children. Significant deaths are from illiterate and from low income groups. Most of the deaths reported from day wage earners and from manual labors. Injuries due to falls, burns and poisoning are the major causes observed in the present study. Three fourth of deaths occurred during day time. In old people deaths occurred in wash rooms due to falling.
Conclusion and Recommendations: Injuries are the leading causes of deaths in all age groups. Injuries, burns, poisoning, drowning, electrocution, poisonous animal bites, and asphyxia are seen as causes of death. Creating awareness on domestic accidents and preventive measures will play an important role.
Keywords: Domestic accidents; Asphyxia, Electrocution, Injuries.