The National Safety Council states that falls are one of the leading causes of injury in the American home. Falls also are the leading cause of injury-related death for adults age 65 and older, according to
Injury Facts 2016, the statistical report on unintentional injuries created by the National Safety Council. This is not surprising considering falls are among the most common causes of traumatic brain injury. About 20,400 people died from falls at home in 2014, and the vast majority of them were over age 65.
According to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- One in three older adults falls each year
- About 2.5 million nonfatal falls were treated in emergency departments in 2013
- Of those, 734,000 people were admitted to the hospital
- That year, 25,500 older adults died from unintentional falls
- More than 250,000 hip fractures are reported every year, and 95 percent of those are from falls
Many of us have our own "fall stories" from childhood to today. The reasons we fall are numerous but also avoidable. Failure to use handrails on stairs is an at-risk behavior that can lead to a fall. In the world of industrial safety, a lot of attention is placed on "unsafe conditions". However, the majority of injuries are the result of "at-risk behaviors". Most incidents are the result of what we do; it's our actions that make the difference. Unsecured throw rugs, items left on the floor, poorly lit rooms, slippery surfaces in bathrooms and kitchens, etc. all may lead to serious falls, injuries and death.
Home projects can lead to falls from improper use of ladders and step stools. The list is endless. We need to think about what our actions may cause. Plan your moves and consider the potential negative outcomes to your actions. The picture below says it all.
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