Safety Tip Tuesday - National Fall Prevention Awareness Week
Fall Prevention Awareness Week - September 23-29, 2019
To recognize the critical issue, at the state level, SCR 77 was passed in 2008 declaring the first week of Fall each year as Fall Prevention Awareness Week. At the heart of this initiative is the message that falls are preventable.
Simple Steps to Preventing Falls
Keep pathways clear - keep stairs and walkways clear by removing objects that you could trip over. Add storage for things that are usually on the floor, such as shoes or papers.
Be aware of uneven surfaces - look out for changes in the level of flooring, such as in doorways or in between carpeting and tile. Remove throw rugs or use a rug gripper underneath to secure them to the floor. If you can move a rug easily with your foot, you could slip on it.
Keep frequently used items close by - reaching up high or bending down low can cause you to lose balance. For example, in the kitchen, make sure that cooking supplies and other items that you use often are easy to reach.
Light your way - install bright lights, have switches at both ends of stairways, and use night lights to light the path from your bedroom to bathroom. Light switches that glow are easier to see in the dark.
Stay safe on the stairs - consider installing handrails on both sides of the stairs. if you already have handrails, be sure you use them. Check that they are properly installed and not loose.