June is National Safety Month – join in on the National Safety Council’s “No One Gets Hurt” campaign and take the necessary steps to prevent injuries from falls!
How to Prevent Falls. Take these simple steps to prevent falls both at home and in your community:
- Remove clutter, including electrical cords and other tripping hazards, from walkways, stairs and doorways
- Install nightlights in the bathroom, hallways and other areas to prevent tripping and falls at night
- Always wear proper footwear and clean up spills immediately
- Place non-slip adhesive strips on stairs and non-skid mats in the shower and bathroom
- For older adults, install grab bars near showers and toilets, and install rails on both sides of stairs – older adults can also take balance classes, get their vision and hearing checked each year and talk with their doctors and pharmacist about fall risks from medication
Distracted Walking – A Serious Risk. Today nearly everyone has a cell phone and consequently distracted walking has become a serious risk. To limit this risk:
- Avoid cell phone use while walking, especially near crosswalks – talk with your friends and loved ones about this risk as well
- Pay special attention in busy areas, such as airports and shopping centers, and even your own house – more than half of distracted walking incidents happen at home
- Avoid other distracted walking risks, such as listening to headphones, when walking near intersections and other busy areas
- When driving, look carefully for pedestrians distracted by their phones – slow down and pay special attention in school zones
