Household Falls: Are You At Risk?

Serious falls are a subject that very few people often stop and take time to consider. For the elderly and for individuals with limited mobility, the dangers are certainly more obvious and pronounced, but whether you know it or not, you might also be at risk.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recently released a helpful guide to preventing serious falls at home, which brought the topic to our attention. The guide provides some great tips that we could all benefit from, especially during the winter months when ice and slippery conditions here in WNY put us at a higher risk.

Here’s a quick summary of tips included in the guide:
 

The Risks Are Real

There are more than just medical risk factors that leave you exposed to the dangers of falling. Your household environment, footwear, pets and medications can all be risk factors.

 

Fall-Proof Your Home

Avoiding a serious fall can be as easy as looking around and clearing your house of potential issues. Slippery bathrooms, throw rugs and cluttered pathways can all lead to falls if you’re not careful. Eliminate these potential issues, and your house will be a much safer place for you and your family.

 

Fall Safety

If you’re faced with the unfortunate event of a fall, knowing how to handle it is key. When falling, try to raise your arms to protect your head instead of using them to break the fall. If you don’t have an emergency alert device and can’t get up, try crawling to the nearest phone to call for help or using a chair or couch for support.
 

To view the full guide to avoiding household falls and ensuring safety for you and others, check out the PDF from the AAOS here. You can also view the fall prevention section of their website for more information.