Wairarapa-specific figures were not available.
Previous research put the total social cost of death and injuries in the home at $13 billion in 2007. In contrast, road injuries and deaths amounted to nearly $4 billion.
Social costs include loss of output because of injury or death, reduced quality of life and medical expenses.
Mr Taylor advised home owners to switch off the mains power supply when performing electrical repairs.
Many people failed to realise that "even though light switches are off, light fittings can still be live". Touching the fitting could result in a nasty "shock".
The Otago University research, which involved about 1600 participants who were injured at home, assessed participants' properties for structural hazards. A number of uninsulated houses in the Taranaki area were also assessed.
Nearly two-thirds of homes lacked working smoke alarms and more than half had unfinished driveway fences.
Forty-nine per cent of homes had unsafe hot water temperatures (over 60C) and a third had poorly lit access.
Lead author Michael Keall believed the results were "relatively typical".
Nearly 40 per cent of injuries were related to a home's structure. Fixing structural hazards would cost an average of about $600 per household. "This expenditure is justified in terms of increased safety."
Outdoor areas were particularly important, with 37 per cent of accidents occurring on home paths, steps and in the garden. Children under 5 years and the elderly were most vulnerable.
"One of the more interesting aspects is that people who are injured tend to blame themselves rather than look at hazards around the home that may have played a role," Dr Keall said.
Fixing these hazards was crucial to improving home safety.
Safety at home:
Install hand rails for steps, inside and outside
Put high visibility slip-resistant edgings on steps
Install lighting for outdoor areas
Put slip resistant surfacing on decks and steps to prevent falls
Regularly check smoke alarms are working
Source: Dr Michael Keall
