One of the most common accidents that can occur at home is slip and falls. According to the National Safety Council, fall-related injuries are one of the leading causes of injury, ranking in the top 5 causes of both preventable injuries and death. Without proper precautions, these types of accidents can result in serious injuries and have long-lasting consequences. Following these simple tips can help prevent many slip and fall accidents and protect the safety of your family and loved ones.
Keep Floors Clean and Dry
Keeping floors clean and dry is a crucial preventive measure against slip and falls in your home. Regularly remove debris and promptly clean spills, to prevent slip and fall accidents caused by slippery floors. Promptly drying wet floors prevents the growth of mold and mildew, creating a safer environment overall. Avoiding dust, dirt, and grime buildup on floors can help maintain proper foot traction on walkways and ensure a stable walking surface. Also, be cautious when using cleaning products which can make floors slippery or slick. Make sure to use proper cleaning materials for the type of flooring in your home.
Ensure Proper Lighting in All Areas
Prioritizing proper lighting throughout your home can significantly reduce the risk of slip and fall accidents. Ensuring proper lighting in all areas of your home allows for greater visibility to clearly see potential hazards and obstacles in walkways. Keeping stairs, ramps, and hallways well lit can help reduce the risk of missteps or tripping accidents. Proper lighting is also essential during nighttime, ensuring you can navigate your home safely without the risk of slips, trips, or falls due to poor visibility. Having well lit outdoor areas is an important safety measure to prevent tripping over uneven surfaces or obstacles.
Remove Tripping Hazards and Obstacles
Keeping walkways clear of tripping hazards and obstacles is an extremely important way to help prevent slip and fall injuries in your home. Taking proactive steps to identify and eliminate potential tripping hazards in walkways around your home can significantly reduce the risk of fall injuries. Clearing clutter and organizing living spaces create safe pathways for walking and reduce the likelihood of tripping over objects. Also, securing loose carpets or rugs with non-slip materials can help prevent them from slipping underfoot. By avoiding having objects such as furniture, decoration, or plants obstructing walkways and stairs, tripping accidents and injuries can be prevented.
Install Handrails on Stairs
Handrails alongside stairs provide reliable support and help enhance balance and stability while going up and down stairs. Especially for children and older adults, having handrails to hold on to while using stairs can significantly decrease the risk of falls. A data analysis on product-related injuries conducted by law firm Piasta Newbern Walker LLC shows that stairs were the number one leading cause of injury with an estimated 2,727,809 injuries reported in 2021. Handrails provide an extra point of physical contact while walking up and down stairs which can be highly beneficial for individuals with mobility challenges. Having handrails installed next to stairs in your home is an important precaution and safety measure to prevent dangerous accidents.
Regularly Maintain and Repair Damages
Regularly maintaining and promptly repairing damages in your home is an important safety measure. Making sure to take care of any maintenance issues such as uneven flooring, loose handrails, or damaged steps can help prevent accidents and create a safer environment. Safety hazards such as uneven or worn-out flooring can cause trips, while loose handrails can cause falls from a loss of balance. Additionally, maintaining outdoor walkways should not be overlooked. Uneven walkways caused by cracks in flooring or other obstructions can be a dangerous risk for slips, trips, and falls.