Did you know that hanging holiday lights can be hazardous sends thousands of people to the emergency room every year? It’s true. In fact, falls account for more than 2.8 million injuries treated in emergency rooms every year. Falls are actually THE most common cause of trauma-related hospital admissions for people 65 years old or older.
People suffer falls for many reasons: tripping and loss of footing, balance issues, reduced muscle strength, poor vision or other illness…or they may be taking a powerful medicine or drinking alcohol. While some falls are symptoms of a medical issue, some can be prevented. Learning how to prevent falls can help you avoid broken bones and the long lasting problems they can cause.
So, how can you better protect yourself from falls? Here are some ways you can make changes to lower your risks:
- If you feel unstable due to a medical condition or are taking medications, use a cane or walker
- Keep rooms free of clutter
- Be sure that your rugs have skid-proof backs or are tacked to the floor
- Use carpet runners in tile hallways
- Do not walk around in socks, stockings, or slippers
- Women: wear low-heeled shoes if you feel unstable in high heels
- Be sure stairs are well lit
- Install railings on both sides of all stairwells
- Put grab bars on bathroom walls near tub, shower, and toilet and use a nonskid bath mat in the shower or tub
- Use a nightlight on your path to the bathroom
- Make sure all rooms have adequate lighting
Falls, with or without injury, can greatly impact the quality of one’s life and should be prevented at all costs. A conscious effort to prevent falls by doing some simple things, like those mentioned above, is your best defense against them.
If you are experiencing pain from a fall that is not going away, call our orthopedic specialists at Ortho El Paso for a consultation. Call 915-249-4000 for an appointment to explore your orthopedic options in El Paso.
