Fall Risk Challenge

The Fall Risk Challenge --  how many did you find?

Indoor risks:

• Most falls involving pets happen when walking a dog, but even toys and food dishes can create a tripping hazard.

• Using a reacher overhead can cause you to lose your balance, especially if the item were to fall. Reachers are best used to pick dropped items up from the floor.

• Sitting on a rollator and reaching overhead to take something out of a microwave/oven is a burn risk, and in avoiding/reacting to the burn you may fall.

• Wet floors are slippery. Waiting until they are dry is much safer.

• The broom in the photo is a tripping risk.

• The coffee pot is too close to edge of counter. If it fell, or if you tangled in the cord, it could cause you to fall.

• The kitchen rug is not secured to floor, posing a slip/trip hazard.

• Be sure you have plenty of light indoors, too! Shadows and dim lighting increase the chance of falling.

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Outdoor risks

• Carrying items that block your view is a fall risk. It’s best to use a railing when going up/down steps as well. 

• Standing on outside of railing to change lightbulb is not a stable position. Instead, use a step ladder, and don’t stand on the top step!

• A cane is not a help if it is not adjusted to the correct height.

• A rollator is not safe on steps. If you must use a rollator, use a ramp. Portable ramps are available.

• Reaching overhead with tools can cause you to overbalance and fall. Using a stepladder with a partner to help anchor it is a better solution. Having a professional clean your gutters works, too!