UK Stairs Falls Statistics: Deaths, Injuries and NHS Costs

Last updated: 31 October 2026 · A fully sourced reference page on falls on stairs in the UK. Every figure links to its primary source. Free to cite with attribution.

Key Figures at a Glance

Deaths from Falls on Stairs

Falls on stairs and steps kill more than 1,000 people every year in England and Wales, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Safer Stairs campaign. Falls overall were responsible for almost half (48%) of all accidental deaths in 2023, and falls from stairs and steps are the most commonly identified cause of fall-related deaths (Centre for Ageing Better, analysis of ONS mortality data).

Copy-and-paste stat: Falls on stairs and steps kill more than 1,000 people a year in England and Wales, and put another 43,000 in hospital (RoSPA).

Injuries and Hospital Admissions

Who Falls on Stairs?

Survey data from the British Woodworking Federation shows that 43% of British adults report a slip, trip or fall on the stairs in the past year. Counter-intuitively, younger adults fall more often. Over 60% of 18-34-year-olds reported a stair accident in the past 12 months, against 33% of over-65s.

The difference is severity. Older people are far more likely to be seriously injured or killed by a stair fall.

Among older people generally, about one in three people aged 65+ and one in two aged 80+ fall at least once a year (Office for Health Improvement & Disparities).

Copy-and-paste stat: Over 60% of 18-34-year-olds report a stair accident each year versus 33% of over-65s, but older people are far more likely to be killed by one (British Woodworking Federation).

What Falls Cost the NHS

• Fragility fractures cost the UK an estimated £4.4 billion a year, including £1.1 billion in social care (NICE).
• Unaddressed fall hazards in homes are estimated to cost NHS England £435 million a year (OHID).

For what those costs look like beside the price of preventing a fall, see the cost of a fall in the UK.

Reducing the Risk

Evidence-based ways to cut stair-fall risk include better lighting, secure handrails on both sides, removing loose carpets, and regular sight and medication reviews. Where stairs become unmanageable, home adaptations such as stairlifts can help. The Disabled Facilities Grant can fund these up to £30,000 in England (see our grant application guide).

Our fall prevention guide covers practical home-safety steps, and broader figures are on our UK stairlift statistics hub.

FAQ

How many people die falling down stairs in the UK each year?

Falls on stairs and steps kill more than 1,000 people a year in England and Wales (RoSPA). Scotland and Northern Ireland publish their own death figures separately.

How many stair-fall injuries happen each year?

Around 43,000 people a year are taken into hospital after falls on stairs and steps in England and Wales (RoSPA).

Are stairs the most dangerous part of the home?

Falls are the leading cause of accidental death in the UK, and stairs and steps are the most commonly identified cause of fatal falls (Centre for Ageing Better).

What do falls cost the NHS?

Fragility fractures cost the UK about £4.4 billion a year, including £1.1 billion for social care (NICE).

How to Cite This Page

Methodology & Sources

This page compiles published figures from RoSPA, the Office for National Statistics, the Office for Health Improvement & Disparities, NICE, the Centre for Ageing Better and the British Woodworking Federation. Each figure is linked to its source at the point of use. Where sources report ranges or different reference years, we cite the most recent published figure and identify the year. Reviewed and updated as new official data is released.

More UK stairlift data and tools

• UK stairlift specifications & dimensions compared
• Stairlift prices by UK region
• Stairlift VAT exemption calculator
• DFG waiting times by council
• Stairlift glossary: terms explained

Prefer to watch? Our video guide covers the key points: