ACC has paid out more than $1.6 billion in accident claims from slips, trips and falls in the 11 months from July 2023.
Injury Prevention programme lead James Whitaker said such non-sports related slips, trips and falls were the biggest contributor to injuries in New Zealand.
He said about 770,000 New Zealanders had a slip, trip or fall in any given year, and the latest data showed home was the most common place for that to occur.
Whitaker said that was likely due to multi-tasking.
“If you’re walking around and you’re looking at your cell phone, for example, and trying to text someone back, or you’re checking the surf forecast or whatever you’re doing, you’re going to increase your chance of having a slip triple form compared to if you’re just walking around and looking where you’re going.”
For more than 165,000 claims, people were walking before a fall, making it the most common prior activity.
Whitaker said it was important to be careful, especially around the winter season.
“A lot of us might have driveways or decks or steps that have a bit of moss or lichen or a bit of slipperiness on them.”
He said it was important people made sure surfaces were not slippery, not just for those who live at a home, but also for visitors.
“[There are] people who come round and check your meter, like your gas meter and electricity meter and stuff, you’re putting them at risk if you’re not getting rid of those hazards.”