Fall Prevention Tips

BY STEPHANIE FISCHER

With the wet and cold weather also comes slipping and falling hazards. Here is some information to prevent injuries.

You can slip when you lose your footing, you can trip when you catch your foot on or in something, and you fall when you come down suddenly. Spills, ice, snow, rain, loose mats, rugs, and stepladders are some of the common causes of slips, trips, and falls. In addition, poor lighting and clutter can cause injuries such as sprains, strains, bruises, bumps, fractures, scratches, and cuts.

Tips to Stay Safe:

• If you see something you might slip or trip on, clean or pick it up right away.
• Clean up spills and anything slippery. Don’t use cleaners that could make the floor slippery. Always follow proper use as described on the product label.
• Clear walkways, stairs, hallways, and living areas of anything that might be a tripping hazard, such as cords, wires, empty boxes, and clutter.
• Make sure that floor mats lay flat, rather than wrinkled or bunched.
• Use handrails when you walk up and down steps.
• Before using any ladder or stepladder, make sure it opens fully.
• Check ladder extensions are fully locked and that the ladder legs are stable on a flat, non-slippery surface.
• Clean off any slippery material on the rungs, steps, or feet of a ladder before you use it.
• Don’t go over the load limit noted on the ladder.