Sure, home is where the heart is. But for many, it’s also the site of fall-related injuries. Just how serious is the problem? Well, each year:
- About 36 million seniors home fall-proof , resulting in 3 million emergency room visits
- One of every five falls causes an injury such as a bad cut or broken bone
- 300,000 seniors are hospitalized for hip fractures due to a fall
While seniors are at highest risk of serious falls, your children also are highly susceptible, largely due to their evolving developmental stages, innate curiosity in their surroundings, and increasing levels of independence that coincide with ever-increasing risk taking.
Naturally, not all falls or related injuries can be prevented, but many can. Here are just a few ways to make your home a safer place to live.
- Keep high-traffic areas free of small furniture, toys, pet gear, cords, and other items that could cause someone to trip.
- When arranging furniture pieces, allow plenty of space to move about the room.
- Secure your area rugs with non-slip carpet pads.
- Wipe up spills and splatter immediately, especially on slippery flooring like hardwood, vinyl, and tile.
- Place non-slip adhesive strips on stairs or install stair runners, and make sure stairways are equipped with sturdy handrails.
- Install night-lights or motion sensor lights in bathrooms and hallways to illuminate dark areas at night.
- Place frequently used items like snacks within easy reach to avoid overuse of step stools.
- Install grab bars in the tub and shower surrounds as well as near toilets.
- Adhere non-skid appliques to the floor of the tub or shower.
- Use personal walking devices to aid in standing, walking, or stability.
- Ask your healthcare provider if any medications you take could make you light-headed or dizzy.
Nowhere in the average home do more falls take place than the bathroom, and no one has more ways to help secure your bathroom than Eagle Service Company. Grab bars, comfort-height toilets, anti-scald shower valves, low-entry shower enclosures – these are just a few of the ways we can help prevent family members from hurting themselves. For more information and a no-cost proposal, contact Eagle today.
