Advice for reducing falls and keeping safe this winter!

Stay safer this winter with our top tips on reducing trips and falls both inside and outside your home. Each year, millions of older people fall and more than one out of four older people fall each year, but less than half tell their doctor. Falling once also doubles your chances of falling again.

There are simple things you can do to keep slips and trips to a minimum. Be your own safety inspector and continually check your living space and keep on top of potential hazards by being aware of your surroundings. Ask a family member or friend to help you do an audit of your home to identify likely causes of trips and falls. By taking preventive measures, this will help with remaining independent at home and build confidence.

Prevention is better than cure. Make your home safer and get your eyes tested regularly.
What are the main causes of slips and trips?

• Poor eyesight  and inadequate lighting
• Home hazards or dangers such as broken or uneven steps, throw rugs or clutter that can be tripped over, and no handrails along stairs or in the bathroom.
• Cluttered walkways and rooms
• Rushing around and not paying attention to where you are going.  
• Slippers/shoes that are too big and inappropriate footwear
• Tiredness and physical ability, lack of mobility or lack of balance
• Medication that can lead to dizziness – older people on four or more different types of medication have an increased risk of falling

With this in mind you need to take the following steps to ensure you are reducing any risks of accidents in your home.

• Review your home layout with a family member or friend and make sure you eliminate clutter and areas that could cause trips. Ensure furniture is placed in an area of the room where you are unlikely to knock into it.
• Clutter free-Keep your stairs and hallways clear of clutter
• Lighting- Make sure your home has the right lighting. There are some simple tips you can follow and you can read our full lighting blog here. But as a reminder follow these simple tips. Make sure your hall stairs and landing has adequate lighting especially at night time. Sensor lights or night lights are ideal as they come on at dusk and provide extra lighting at night.
• Adding extra light in your rooms is simple, try using a desk or floor light to increase the light in specific areas of your home.

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• Check you lamp shades and make sure the bulbs do not protrude below the shade as this can cause glare which can be uncomfortable. A shade that is white inside is better as the light reflects from inside.
• Have a light next to you at night time and make sure it is stable and not easily knocked over.
• Trailing wires- these can be a real hazard and make sure they are tucked away safely out of harm’s way. Ask a family member to help you organise your electronic equipment to ensure they are not a trip hazard.
• Slippery floors- these can be particularly hazardous. Try using a non-slip mat on slippery surfaces. This can give you extra stability and also provide contrast on the floor.
• Extra support while moving around your home is important and this can be done using Handrails, Grab Bars, and Armrests. Install handrails on both sides of the staircase; grab bars for the shower or bathtub, and armrests for the toilet to make sure you are getting as much help as needed to stay safe.
• Keep active to reduce the risk of trips and falls but always check with your doctor first.
• You can help your general well-being and help to reduce the risk of trips and falls by keeping active and healthy.
• A good way to make your muscles stronger and to improve your balance is to take regular exercise. You don't have to go to the gym to stay active. Simple tasks like gardening, regular house work and walking can boost energy levels and improve coordination and balance. Remember to check with your doctor first and make sure you have regular health checks.
• Fraying carpets If you can’t replace frayed carpets make sure you use a double-sided carpet tape to help prevent them slipping. Loose rugs and mats can be a trip hazard and should be avoided if possible. Also, avoid tripping hazards by removing loose floorboards or worn carpeting. It’s dangerously easy to get a toe or heel caught underneath the edge of a rug, a patch of threads in the carpet, or uneven floorboards, so make sure everything is secure and level.


• Remaining safe outside is just as important as in your home. Going outside into daylight can cause problems with glare even when it is winter.
  
  Sunglasses are vital to protecting your vision and helping you alleviate painful exposure to light and harmful UV rays. They're light and easy to wear and Associated Optical have a full range of sunglasses which offer 360° of UV protection, ultra-lightweight fashionable designs and come with a lifetime warranty. Designed to be worn over prescription eyewear, Low Vision Cocoons offer a full spectrum of contrast enhancing filters designed specifically for someone with low vision. The integrated side shields are precisely regulated to match the exact transmission rates and UV absorption curves of the front filters.
  

If you have bifocal or progressive lenses, you may want to get a pair of glasses with only your distance prescription for outdoor activities, such as walking. Sometimes these types of lenses can make things seem closer or farther away than they really are.

Useful organisations
Age UK
Provide advice and information for people in later life through our Age UK Advice line‚ publications and online.
Age UK Advice: 0800 169 65 65
Lines are open seven days a week from 8am to 7pm.
www.ageuk.org.uk
Associated Optical
Suppliers of low vision aids, challenging perceptions and providing innovative solutions for independent living.
Tel 01628 600410
www.associatedoptical.com
 
Disabled Living Foundation
Provides impartial advice on products and equipment that help with daily living. Some of the products mentioned in this article can be found on their website.
www.dlf.org.uk
Tel: 0300 999 004
 
#12daysofsafety @dlfuk