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June 26, 2007 -- According to the Home Safety Council, falls are
the leading cause of non-fatal unintentional injuries occurring
in the home.
More than 5.6 million injuries are reported each year, as a result
of someone slipping or falling in their house. The majority of those
who suffer from a fall are older adults, who fall in the bathroom,
kitchen or on stairs.
David Terlizzi, director of Rehabilitation Services at Kimball
Medical Center, says the hospital treats a significant number of
adults every year who have fallen in the home, broken a bone and
require physical therapy or other rehabilitation services to heal.
“Unfortunately, many older adults experience a slip or fall
at some point in their lives,” he says. “While some
only are affected with minor bruises or injuries, others suffer
from major complications, some of which can be life threatening
for a very elderly person.”
Terlizzi says one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent
injuries in the home is to undergo a simple safety check of the
house to identify and correct potential slip and fall hazards.
“Take a walk around the home and keep an eye out for anything
that might cause one to trip or fall,” Terlizzi says. “Three
areas to look most closely at are the bathroom, kitchen and stairways.”
He offered these tips to help safety-proof your home.
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Make sure all stairs and steps have banisters or hand rails
on both sides.
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Install adequate lighting, especially near stairs, hallways
and entrances to the home. Place light switches at both the
top and bottom of the stairs.
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Use nightlights to illuminate dark areas at night, especially
the path from the bedroom to the bathroom.
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Reduce clutter and always keep walkways clear of debris or
other items. This is especially important on stairways and landings.
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Use non-slip mats in the bathtub or shower which adheres to
the floor with adhesive or suction.
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Install permanent grab bars in the shower. Do not substitute
a towel rack or soap dish for a grab bar as they can some loose,
causing a fall.
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Wipe up water or other spills which can cause falls.
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Use non-skid backing or adhesive to anchor down throw rugs
or loose carpeting. Even better, remove all throw rugs.
Terlizzi says younger adults also suffer from falls in the home,
many the result of ladder use. According to the Home Safety Council,
over 150,000 people per year are treated in Emergency Departments
around the country due to ladder injuries.
“Falling from a ladder can cause severe injuries,”
Terlizzi says. “Broken bones, pulled or torn muscles, cuts
and head injuries are the most common, which can all result in lengthy
recovery times.”
Keep these ladder safety tips in mind the next time you set out
on a home project:
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Always place the ladder on level ground and make sure all locks
are set.
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Wear slip-resistant shoes when climbing a ladder, never bare
feet. Make sure the ladder is dry.
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Center your body on the ladder and keep two feet on the treads
to ensure stability.
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Do not reach too far beyond the ladder. Use your bellybutton
as a guide. If your belly button is beyond the ladder rail,
you’ve reached too far.
-
Never climb beyond the safest step on the ladder. For a step
ladder, this is the second rung from the top. For an extension
ladder, it is the fourth rung from the top.
For those prone to falls in the home, Terlizzi suggests installing
some form of emergency call or lifeline system so an older adult
can access help if they can’t get up.
“The reality is, many adults – especially those who
live alone – fall and can’t get up,” he says.
“If they can’t access help through an emergency pendant
or call button they wear, they could lie on the floor waiting until
someone arrives.”
He also suggests regularly checking on loved ones or neighbors
who live alone – ideally once a day – to make sure they
haven’t fallen or injured themselves. However, he warned that
despite following all of these precautions, falls may still occur
at home.
“If a fall occurs, you should seek medical help immediately,
even if your injuries seem minor at the time,” he says. “Some
injuries may not reveal themselves until later on or even the next
day, causing more injury or harm if left untreated.”
Kimball Medical Center offers the Kimball Institute for Rehabilitative
and Occupational Health Services which offers rehabilitative services
for patients who have suffered injuries as a result of slips and
falls. For more information, call 888-SBHS-123 (888-724-7123).
CONTACT: Kathleen Horan
Public Relations and Marketing
732-557-3909
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