Thursday, May 5, 2011

Preventing Slip And Fall Accidents In The Home

By Adriana Noton


Slip and fall accidents are common occurrences in the home. Around half the accidents in the USA which currently occur at home are falls. The problem is that we are so familiar with our homes that we feel safe there and do not give due consideration to our environment and its potential dangers.

Any room in the house can be the source of an accident. However by taking a few simple precautions you can protect your family and help prevent an accident occurring. Remember that an accident can happen at any time so you always need to be aware.

An accident can quite often occur in the kitchen. Walking on highly polished floors in just socks is a quick way to slip over. A polished floor may look attractive but can be dangerous. Non slip footwear is the most appropriate kind to wear in the kitchen.

Spills that are not cleaned up immediately are another reason that people slip over in the kitchen. Spills needs to be cleaned immediately to lessen any chance of them being a cause of injury. Once the area of the spill has been washed you need to ensure it has had time to dry before walking on it.

Another hazardous area is the stairs as there are often things left on them. If you go up and down stairs without looking and there are objects such as kids toys in your way you could easily fall and suffer a nasty injury. Another danger of stairs is loose fitting carpets which could be tripped over. Make sure all toys are tidied away and stair carpets are in a good state of repair.

Bedrooms are a minefield of slip and fall opportunities. There are often cables across the floor from electrical goods such as TV's or games consoles and these can be easily tripped over. Items are often stored on the top shelves of closets and rather than get a small ladder to reach then people will stretch. This can lead to people losing their balance and falling over.

Make sure all cables and wires are secure and out of the way. If you do keep things on high shelves make sure they are things you do not need regularly and when you do need them retrieve them carefully. In kids rooms make sure toys are put away so they cannot be tripped over.

Use of bath oils can lead to very slippery surfaces in the bathroom. This increases the danger of someone slipping over whilst in the bath or shower. Always make sure any bath oil residue is cleaned up thoroughly after use. Check bathmats to ensure they do not have frayed edges or loose thread that could be tripped over. Water on the floor should be wiped up immediately.

While slip and fall accidents can occur within the home a few preventative steps should significantly reduce any risk. Simple things such as tidying as you go and making sure repairs are carried out when necessary all help. Do this and your home should be the safe place you want it to be.




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