Have a Happy, Safe New Year

Start the New Year with a focus on fall prevention. Do you know what to do to prevent a fall? According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons falls occur mainly in the home. So making some simple changes around the house can reduce your risk of a fall and serious injury. Included on the AAOS checklist are the following suggestions:

*Install handrails on both sides of the stairway and use them.
*Do not place loose area rugs at the bottom or top of stairs.
*Keep a telephone near your bed.
*Keep a flashlight near your bed.
*Arrange furniture to create clear pathways between rooms.
*Immediately clean up any liquid, grease or food spilled on the floor.
*Store food, dishes and cooking equipment at easy-to-reach waist-high level.

For a more comprehensive home safety checklist to prevent falls visit: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

We’d like to hear from you. Share with your fellow readers tips you have in place to prevent falls.