Bradford is the second most deadly place in Yorkshire for elderly people who fall on stairs or steps in their home, according to a new report.

Forty-four over 65s died from accidents in the city between 1996 and 1998, second only to Leeds with 49.

Research by the Department of Trade and Industry published yesterday also showed that 25 people died in Kirklees during the same period and eight in Calderdale. West Yorkshire was the sixth most fatal district in the country with 132 deaths from falling on steps or stairs. Greater London topped the tables with a figure of 248.

The stark statistics have formed the basis for the DTI and Health Promotion England campaign Avoiding Slips, Trips and Broken Hips encouraging older people to act to reduce the risks of accidents.

Manjinder Sarai, community policy development officer for Bradford Age Concern, is especially keen on promoting awareness following the death of his father from a fall.

He said: "My father thought he could still climb a ladder in his bungalow. But he didn't have the ladder at the right angle and slipped and fell on his head.

"This is something that was entirely preventable if he had been given the right information.

"We want people to be safe in their homes but not housebound. This campaign will be very good if the information is put into the right hands - we have to re-educate people on home safety."

People in single-storey homes are especially vulnerable as they get out of the habit of climbing stairs and develop 'bungalow legs'.

The chances of breaking bones are heightened still further for sufferers of osteoporosis.

Molly Jones, from the Keighley branch of the Osteoporosis Society, said: "One third of women will have osteoporosis by the time they are 70, for men it is one in 12.''

For more information on the campaign ring 0800 66 55 44 or 0845 46 47.

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