How to Avoid Slips and Falls at Home

HEALTHY LIVING CENTER

How to Avoid Slips and Falls at Home.

By: Jeff Grazybowsi - Director of Rehabilitation at Boro Park Center Many patients who require rehab at Boro Park Center are here because they badly injured themselves taking a fall. What if some of these folks could have avoided falling? Life would certainly be very different for them right now. Let’s take a look at some of the ways we can prevent falls at home.

One way is making our households safer. If we can get rid of some of or correct some of the things around our home that could make us trip while organizing our home we would be a lot better for it.

1First, make sure that all electrical, telephone and other cords are secured closely against a wall so we don’t trip over them 2 3

Area rugs and floor mats that we can trip over or that might slide out from under us should also be removed so that we don’t slip on them Clean the clutter. The more organized our houses are and the less things on the floor, the less likely we are to stumble over them

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Keep necessary items you may need on the nightstand next to while sleeping i.e. cell phone, water, our pills, etc. Whatever you may need near during the night. At night we are less alert and a bit groggy when first wake up, so if we can avoid getting up we should.

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Keep your home well lit. use the maximum watt bulbs that your lamps and fixtures safely recommended. If you’re lighting is too dim it increases the chances of not noticing a hazard you can trip over.

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Wear shoes or sneakers when up and about. Our feet tend to not stay in slippers that open in the back causing us to trip. Socks are very comfortable but don’t go well with smooth surfaces.