Fall Prevention
Falls lead to more than 800,000 hospitalizations each year.
No matter your age, falls can have serious consequences and can even be fatal.
Ladders & Falls
Whether putting up holiday decorations, changing light bulbs or using ladders for work, always make sure you're being safe. Many injuries are cause by things like over-reaching, poor footing and misusing ladders.
Here is a great video on proper use of ladders.
Preventing Falls with Older Adults
More than 95 percent of hip fractures are a result of falls. But falls are preventable and don’t have to happen. Check out this great video on preventing falls.
Here are some of the most common causes of falls in older adults:
- Clutter and tripping hazards
- Low blood pressure
- Poor balance or impaired mobility
- Impaired vision
- Limited endurance or muscle weakness
- Foot pain or discomfort
Preventing Falls with Children
Falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries in children ages 0-19, effecting nearly 3 million children each year. The most serious of these are broken bones and head injuries.
Here are a few areas children tend to experience falls:
- Windows: Some of the most serious falls occur when children are playing around open windows. Children fall from windows more than 14 times each day across America.
- Shopping carts: Over 20,000 children under the age of 5 are seriously injured from falling out of a shopping cart each year. Always remember to buckle children in and never balance car seats on top of shopping arts.
- Play grounds: Areas with shock-absorbing surfaces like as rubber, synthetic turf, sand, and mulch are much safer as they can decrease impact of falls when playing.
- Changing tables: Always keep your hand on your child when they are on the changing table.
- Stairs: Safety gates are an excellent way to prevent children from falling down the stairs.