Safety

Don’t Slip on Fall Prevention June 19-25

June 20, 2011

Every year, falls lead to millions of emergency room visits in the United States and can cause serious injury or even death. During the week of June 19-25, the National Safety Council (NSC) is holding Fall Prevention Week to raise awareness about preventing risky slips, trips and falls.

Laura Walter

Older adults are at particular risk for injury from falls. Adults 55 and older are more prone to falling, and the resulting injuries can diminish the ability to lead active, independent lives. The number of fall deaths among adults 65 and older is four times the number of fall deaths among all other age groups.

NSC offers the following tips to prevent falls:

Exercise, such as brisk walking, tai chi and yoga, helps reduce falls by improving strength and balance. Stay hydrated while exercising and consult with your physician before starting an exercise program.
Have a doctor or pharmacist review all of your medications. Some medicines, combination of medicines or other combinations (sun, alcohol, etc.) can make you drowsy or light-headed, which can lead to a fall.
Have your vision checked regularly by an eye doctor. Poor vision greatly can increase your chance of falling.
Pay attention when you walk or use stairs.
Avoid distractions, such as texting or reading while walking, that can lead to a slip, trip or fall due to a step, crack or hole in the ground.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Falls can happen in any location, even in familiar areas.

NSC will provide posters, tip sheets and a crossword puzzle to promote safety. Organizations, municipalities, communities and the public are encouraged to download the free materials and share them widely. Remember – through education and changing unsafe behaviors, falls can be prevented.

For more information, visit http://www.nsc.org/
NSC_EVENTS/NAT_SAFE_MONTH/Pages/Week4.aspx.

About the Author

Laura Walter

Laura Walter was formerly senior editor of EHS Today. She is a subject matter expert in EHS compliance and government issues and has covered a variety of topics relating to occupational safety and health. Her writing has earned awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), the Trade Association Business Publications International (TABPI) and APEX Awards for Publication Excellence. Her debut novel, Body of Stars (Dutton) was published in 2021.