Avoid Slips, Trips and Falls With These Tips from the NDSC
For some people, falls result in embarrassment, skinned knees or broken bones. For others, falls can signal the beginning of lifestyle changes – or even lead to death. From 2014 to 2018, 452 North Dakotans died from fall-related injuries.* And according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every 20 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall and many more are injured.
Falls are not a natural part of aging and they can be prevented. The North Dakota Safety Council offers these simple tips to help you avoid falls and maintain your independence:
- Have your health care provider review your medicines. As we get older, the way medicines work in our body can change. Some medicines or combinations of medicines can make you sleepy or dizzy and can cause you to fall.
- Have your vision checked. You may be wearing the wrong glasses or have a condition like glaucoma or cataracts that limits your vision.
- Put essential items where they are easy to reach. Avoid the need for step stools.
- Have grab bars put in next to your toilet and in the tub or shower.
- Use non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors.
- Wear shoes both inside and outside the house. Avoid going barefoot or wearing slippers.
- Make sure outdoor areas are well lit and walkways are smooth and free of puddles and ice.
- Arrange or remove furniture so there is plenty of room for walking.
- Put railings on both sides of the stairs, and make sure stairs and hallways have good lighting.
* North Dakota Department of Health