John A. Templer of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, author of the definitive {and, it must be said, almost only} scholarly text on the subject, The Staircase: Studies of Hazards, Falls, and Safer Design, suggests that all fall-injury figures are probably severely underestimated anyway.
In his work "At Home: A Short History of Private Life," Bill Bryson discusses the issue of fall-related injuries, drawing attention to the insights of John A. Templer from MIT. Templer, noted for his extensive research on the topic in his book “The Staircase: Studies of Hazards, Falls, and Safer Design,” posits that the statistics for fall injuries may not accurately reflect reality, as they are likely to be significantly underestimated.
This highlights a broader issue in understanding the risks associated with everyday life, particularly within the home. Bryson's exploration suggests that we might need to reevaluate our perception of safety and the true frequency of accidents like falls, which can have serious implications for design and preventive measures in residential spaces.
